Abstract

This research investigates how my experience at the front line during a global pandemic has changed me as an artist, researcher, and teacher. Based on my experiences, I shared a description of the adaptation process during the COVID-19 pandemic and translate my story into a graphic novel. This study is an in-depth inquiry, designed to show how art teachers as individuals can adapt to unexpected situations. This research further presents the importance of art in the process of personal and professional adaptation. This study informs art education because of my frontline experience in the community, especially working with seniors, from which I draw out practices grounded in the health and well-being that have a relevance to teaching and learning as part of the new reality going forward. This pathway suggests to me that oscillating between art and health sectors may offer alternate ways of thinking about pedagogic and artistic practice. My story is written in a brief narrative, using accessible language and natural tone to keep the authenticity of the story and invite readers to plunge into my personal experience. Building on my story, I created a graphic novel as an approach to connect my story with the arts and to visually represent my experience. By doing so, I also investigate the importance of art making and promoting the visual aspect of research. I want to explore the importance of art as a space in relation to the chaos of the world around us. Adding to that, I want to share how my experience at the front line has affected my formal/informal learning journey and focus on how the a/r/t/ographic activities has helped me escape and manage the reality of this pandemic.