a p r i l
2 0 2 1
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a r i z o n a
a r t
4 0 7
s t a t e
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c a p s t o n e
u n i v e r s i t y
TO BE CONTINUED e m i l y
d i l l
v a n c e
In the early days of “lockdown” we set alarms for four o’ clock in the morning and stood in line for hours just hoping to get our hands on milk, toilet paper, and eggs. We didn’t know what tomorrow universe.
would We
bring;
spent
we
days
were
inside,
truly
living
learned
new
in
an
skills,
alternate and
we
discovered creative ways to pass the time. We tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep due to the fear and anxiety that flooded our minds. As our routines broke and the world seemed to be falling apart, something new began to form. We came alive in ways that were completely new and unexpected. We slowed down. We met our neighbors for the very first time. We worked together to keep our towns alive, ordering takeout from small restaurants and rallying around local businesses. For the first time in a long while we connected with far away loved ones through the use of technology. We were given a much needed reminder of what really matters in life.
What originally began as a personal project for my mental health turned into so much more. I realized very early on that I could not just focus on the bad. I refused to lose myself or my art in the panic of this global health crisis. With the help and guidance of a few mentors and friends, I began to photograph kindness, compassion, endurance, and strength. This is my search for the light in these dark times. This is a story about The Valley and a collection of hope as we move forward.
"The Garden has a face mask policy day and night, in all indoor and outdoor spaces. Face masks are required for guests 2 and older upon entry and in all areas of the Garden. Anyone not wearing a face mask will be asked to leave."
dbg.org
"We're going through a once in a lifetime situation. My father is 81 years old and I'd always asked him, 'Have you ever gone through something like this before in your lifetime?'
He's
been
around
since
1939.
And
he
said,
'Absolutely not. This is the strangest thing that I've ever seen during the entire time that I've walked this planet.'"
Mayor Cory Woods
"Talk about a year. I can't believe it's been a year since COVID. We had to regroup. We had to figure out what we were going to do to survive. We switched gears and here
we
are.
It's
been
exhausting
rewarding."
Jeff Kraus
but
also
very
"I’m
honestly
so
incredibly
blown
away
by
Tempe
realizing how important local is. During that time,
not
only were people buying from us, but we had people reaching out just seeing how we were personally. I had one customer bring us a bunch of fresh veggies from her garden just to be like, ‘Hey, I hope you ladies are doing okay.’ We’re blown away by the support, the love, it’s really shocking."
Stormy Dodge
"They've really rallied around small businesses. Gilbert is an
amazing
community
in
itself
so
when
small
businesses needed help they showed up in droves. The positive part was seeing people pull for the small guys."
Tricia Arce
"A positive thing is more people have been getting into plants, whether it's gardening or house plants. People are spending more time at home and we have the time to pay attention to other things or take on new hobbies. For me, plants have always kept my mind away from human-centered things. When you look at a plant they don't care what's going on with us. Taking care of plants makes anyone a better person."
Nicolas Gonzalez
SPECIAL THANKS TO Arizona State University The City of Tempe The City of Phoenix The City of Chandler Chandler Museum Mayor Woods Desert Botanical Garden La Gattara Cat Cafe & Boutique Rocket A GoGo Alamo Drafthouse Toasted Mallow Sweetz Brew Pueblo Crêpe Bar
Preserving
moments
in
time,
capturing
emotion, and experimenting with light are the elements that drive my passion for photography. From the moment I picked up my first 35mm camera and watched the
paper
develop
in
the
darkroom,
I
knew I had found my calling. I want to record
the
magic
of
everyday
life
and
document the world.
I
have
never
been
a
believer
in
living
inside the box. I want to push myself out of my comfort zone so far that I forget the way back. I want to take risks and challenge myself. I want to see where my art can take me if I don’t give up.