Calm in Chaos exhibit explores how students cope

ArtWorks Gallery at James Madison University will open a new exhibition, Calm in Chaos, on Monday, Feb. 15 with an online artist talk at 7 p.m. The JMU students’ work displays how they are coping in the current, unstable state of the world. 

“For our first exhibition of 2021, I wanted to do something that meets the moment and reflects on the environment we are currently living in. Thus, Calm in Chaos was born,” said ArtWorks Gallery Director Jason Starr. “Mental health has always been an issue for college students, but with the ongoing pandemic, the crisis has only worsened. This exhibition acts as an outlet for students to express how they are dealing with the current state of the world and allows the audience to see into the mindsets of students. We aim for this exhibition to act as an open dialogue about mental health and its relationship to art." 

Calm in Chaos features a variety of mediums to express the artists’ emotional response to current society and how they found tranquility during this time of adversity. The JMU students taking part in the exhibition come from a variety of majors and skills.  

The online exhibition will run through March 20 at https://artworksgallery.wixsite.com/artworksgallery/.

This event will be livestreamed on Facebook.

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Contact Beth Hinderliter, ArtWorks Gallery faculty advisor, at (540) 568-6407 or by email at hindersb@jmu.edu for more information. 

The ArtWorks Gallery aims to inspire JMU students to showcase their work in a professional space and to create new relationships and connections on campus. We strive to create a space that welcomes new ideas and applauds those who think outside the box. See the gallery website for regular hours.