To Be Continued

a p r i l

2 0 2 1

|

a r i z o n a

a r t

4 0 7

s t a t e

|

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.