Artists and Poets Respond to the Pandemic (11)

My choices today from the online exhibition "Artists and Poets Respond to the Pandemic" are artist Margitta Hanff and poet Judith Sornberger, whose work is inspired by the word "Social Distancing" and the associated term "Personal Protection Equipment".

Of course, she missed Dad when he died /

and wished her daughters lived closer, /

but if she were alive now, she'd be fine /

with these distances—she who prized /

her own company as well as anyone else's. [. . . ]

~ from "In a Time of 'Social Distancing,' I Miss My Mother"

Margitta Hanff, "Love in the time of Corona," 2020

Multimedia, Watercolor, Gouache, and Acrylic

14" x 22"

Read Judith's poem.

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Margitta Hanff was born in Germany, came to the United States to attend university, and eventually stayed and raised a family. After obtaining a degree in illustration, she became a full-time artist. A member of the Art League of Alexandria (Virginia), The Virginia Watercolor Society, the Baltimore (Maryland) Watercolor Society, and Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Margitta has exhibited in numerous local venues in Virginia and Maryland, as well as in Delaware.

Judith Sornberger, who contributed three poems to the exhibition, is a poet, memoirist, and essayist. In addition to authoring five chapbooks and the prose memoir The Accidental Pilgrim: Finding God and His Mother in Tuscany (Shanti Arts Press), Judith has published three collections of poetry, including, most recently, I Call to You from Time (Wipf & Stock).

St. Michael's Episcopal Church (Arlington, Va.), which supports the arts ministry I lead, is hosting the complete multi-part online exhibition. On the church's new Instagram page, you'll find other images of artwork; these are augmented daily. Websites and other information about all the participating artists and poets can be found at "Artists' Biographical Information" and "Poets' Biographical Information," respectively. Margitta's painting is not for sale but some other artworks are available to purchase; see the exhibition's "Purchase List for Artworks."