A new exhibition at the Artworks Center for Contemporary Art in Loveland, Colorado, titled "And Still It Remains," showcases 24 works by 15 artists living with or impacted by Long COVID. The show includes a collaborative tapestry project by artist Heather Schulte called "Stitching the Situation," which documents U.S. COVID-19 cases and deaths with blue and red stitches. The exhibition was organized by artist and nurse Sally Hartshorn, who aimed to provide a creative outlet for those affected by the condition.
This exhibition matters because it gives visibility to Long COVID, a condition often rendered invisible in public discourse, and advocates for more research and treatment. By translating the lived experience of chronic illness into visual art, the show creates community and raises awareness among visitors, including policymakers like Mirwais Baheej, a senior policy advisor on Long COVID for the Colorado lieutenant governor's office. It underscores the role of art as a necessary tool for communication and advocacy in the face of ongoing health crises.