January 15 through July 28, 2024
Art Ways Interactive Family Gallery
Restoring Petals is a community initiative that blends the visual and performing arts, mental health, and community well-being. Led by Chloe Cole Wilson, an artist, activist, and AAM Community Art+Action Fellow, this project provides a platform to delve into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our history and future. Over nine months during 2023, Wilson organized poetry workshops, art sessions, and choral performances across the Lehigh Valley, offering individuals a chance to connect through art and engage in conversations for comfort, joy, and rejuvenation.
The exhibition marks the culmination of Wilson’s project, presenting an interactive installation that captures the community’s diverse experiences from March 2, 2020, to the present. This unique exhibit also acts as a dedicated space for ongoing healing, encouraging visitors to participate in storytelling, play, and moments of relaxation.
From its inception, Restoring Petals aimed to provide a healing environment for processing the collective trauma of COVID-19. Wilson’s guidance through art therapy and storytelling has assisted participants in navigating the complex emotions and lasting memories stemming from the global pandemic. While visiting this exhibition, you are invited to reflect not only on the challenges of the past three years but also on the path forward–a journey toward peace, love, hope, and unity.