We were lucky to catch up with Deane Bowers recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Deane thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
In July 2020, The Together While Apart Art project was born amidst the worldwide pandemic, out of a desire to combat the isolation, loneliness, and unhappiness of a very disturbing time. The world seemed to be wavering. Economic worries, widespread racial unrest caused by systemic injustices, and the steady reminder of losses from COVID-19 was too much to bear. Unwilling to sit on the sidelines and just watch the suffering, I decided I needed to find an avenue to bring people together, even if it was in just a small way. I thought that if I could gather people, even people physically separated, to work towards something bigger than ourselves, that collectively we might find joy, fellowship, and fun – and we could make a difference. I wanted to be part of the solution, to offer something positive to a hurting world.
I turned to what I do best, making art.
Creativity has always been a comfort to me in dark times. I decided to search for other people who could relate to my feelings and join me in creating some sort of work of art, together. I had in mind a collaborative project that the King Arthur Baking Company had designed to unite their employees during their shelter in place phase of the pandemic. In their project, each employee was sent a blank quilt square and asked to decorate it any way they wished. Each employee was given a timeline to return their decorated square to the master quilter who skillfully joined the squares together. The result was a beautiful, diverse, unique quilted wall hanging now on display in their corporate headquarters. This creation will be a constant reminder of the strengths in connection, even while apart, and even when times are tough.
In similar fashion, I decided to go online to find participants for my project idea. I utilized social media, emails, and the far-reaching connections of family and friends, to spread the word and locate willing people to participate in this widespread collaboration.
The response was heartwarming. I cobbled together a group of 20 beautiful souls from 8 different states to join me in this creative, imaginative and healing process. Our group included men and women of all ages and from diverse backgrounds. Some were artists, others were not.
Because most of my art is built from repurposed materials, I wanted to keep that theme with this project. I sent each artist two 6″ x 6” square pieces from a repurposed cardboard box. My instruction was simply this:
Think outside the box.
There was no right or wrong way to decorate the square. My only request was that their square reflect their emotions at the time: the joy, the heartbreak, or any other significant feelings brought forth by this delicate time in history. My hope was that in the creating, each artist would find joy, and that in the final project, all our joys would be multiplied and shared with the world.
Everyone had 3 months to create their piece. During that time, I wanted to foster relationships and connections between the participants. I know firsthand how important support and conversation are to keeping loneliness at bay. I gave each person a self-addressed stamped envelope and assigned each one a pen pal. I hoped that through individual connections taking root, our group would grow together. I also sent regular emails out to the group with inspirational quotes from cultural leaders and famous artists to provoke thoughtful reflection, stimulate their imaginations and most of all, to encourage the group to come together.
Back when I conceptualized this project, I had hoped to find a meaningful recipient, perhaps a non-profit or medical facility, to receive the final artwork. The final collaboration would be a tangible reminder to the group, and to others, that even when physically isolated, we are never alone. And, that when we come together, we are a much stronger. I hoped that the project would give us all a positive diversion from this unpredictable, lonely, and chaotic time. That out of this dark time a light would shine to brighten and uplift us all.
As the weeks passed, and I started receiving the squares back, I was repeatedly amazed by the imagination, talent and effort that each artist put forth into their cardboard. The result was so much more than I could ever imagine. The creative energy of the group was palpable, and our pieces seem to flow together with beautiful synergy. We were creating something vibrant and vital. It was my deep honor to be the artist who pieced the squares together, as I got to see up close, the beauty coming to life. What started as discarded cardboard boxes stacked up in my garage, ended as an incredible artistic collage of many beautiful souls who poured themselves into their work. The dynamic personalities and talents are alive and synergistic in the final product.
I was so grateful that what started as a small idea in my head, blossomed into such a creative idea, connecting so many people. At the beginning of this endeavor, I had no clear vision of what the final piece would look like. However, I knew the world needed this group’s creative gifts. I also knew that the participants needed to share their gifts in order to process the current situation our world was in. I can say with certainty that I am amazed at the outcome. This piece tells a beautiful story about resiliency, connection, and hope during a pandemic that none of us could have imagined a few years ago.
And now, the creative work is done. This special piece of art has found a forever home at The University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. My wish is that it inspires love, warmth, empowerment, and joy – the emotions we all felt while creating it. I hope that when other people see it, they remember that our collective strength comes when we show love for one another. That when we connect with one another, we can work together for the common good.
I will forever carry a piece of it in my heart. I will always remember the importance of being together, while apart. Together, even while apart we can do great things.
From The South Carolina Arts Commission:
“What especially stands out for me is the idea that community could be created in six by six inch squares. It took an artist with a vision who said ‘why not?’ And she went for it. Now, her idea and the creative work of a number of artists—who don’t know each other—has been stitched together—literally and figuratively. The piece traveled around the country, getting recognition from places like the Smithsonian. This project inspires others to see their own power to respond to crisis in simple, beautiful ways—and that stirs us all to reflection and action. “
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Creating art that brings people together in Hope and Love is my mission. I follow my imagination and make art that is original, fun and festive. Using this gift to uplift and inspire others is an honor that I take very seriously. I create the most beautiful offerings I can from reclaimed, repurposed, recycled and EcoFriendly materials. My role as an artist is to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. This means caring for the Earth, caring for others and encouraging compassion, understanding and community through my artwork. When people view my work, I hope they will see that I have said yes to my creative visions, dreams and aspirations. I want to be an example and encourage others to run with their own ideas, no matter how insignificant they might seem. No one else can give us the permission to create. Each one of us has to listen to what is in our own hearts and figure out what truly lights us up. Trusting in one’s unique ideas is challenging, but it is what changes the world for the better and makes possibilities become realities.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As a self-taught artist, my creative journey is guided by two principles. First, be a responsible Environmental Steward in every aspect of my life. As an artist, whenever possible, I use reclaimed, recycled and repurposed materials to keep my art sustainable. Second, create art that is a platform and a tiny spark towards making the world a more loving, kinder and gentler place. My honor and joy is to encourage and promote greater positivity, compassion, community and connection through my artwork.
My hope is that I can inspire more people to connect with one another. By creatively celebrating kindness, love and simply fun in my art, I strive to inspire and uplift others. If my work can touch just one person and make a difference in their life, as well as encourage them to flourish and shine, my mission will be accomplished.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As a Mixed Media Artist, I am always looking for ways to use my artwork to make the world a better place. More than ever, we need to spread joy throughout our communities to try and heal the darkness, divisiveness and uncertainty that is so prevalent.
Three years ago I had the spark of an idea to create a project that was bigger than I anything I had ever done before. I was inspired by so many touching stories about people from all over the country showing up in both their online and local communities to provide some form of help, enrichment and inspiration. They were using their time, their talents and their generosity to support and encourage others and in doing so, making their tiny corner of the world a more loving, comforting place. Their actions ignited a yearning in me that I couldn’t ignore. I wanted to find my own, unique way to offer my gifts and bring people together to offer Hope by spreading joy and happiness. I imagined inspiring a group of people to join me so that we could each offer something positive, uplifting and healing to our communities. And during this process, by belonging to something bigger than ourselves, we would collectively heal together.
Fast forward two years later! My little spark of an idea evolved into what is now “The Together While Apart Art Project.” This collaborative artwork is out in the world having the impact I first envisioned it to have when I had that spark of inspiration one year ago. I found 18 compassionate, kind hearted and dedicated people to join and nurture my vision. They believed in this idea and volunteered to step into this journey, while supporting my mission every step of the way. Coincidentally, I also discovered community, fellowship and an antidote to my own loneliness and anxiety among this online community of creatives who represented 8 different states and both coasts. They each took the time and energy to pour themselves into their individual contributions unsure of what the final outcome would be. They too could visualize how 6″ x 6″ cardboard squares could one day become a beautiful tapestry of artwork that would delight and offer happiness to all who viewed it.
I wanted this art project to honor all the front line and healthcare workers who showed up for work each day, risking their own lives so that the rest of us could remain safely at home. They are the true heroes of the pandemic. Recently, I went a step further and partnered with the American Nurses Association to establish a fundraiser in the name of The Together While Apart Art Project. This campaign, called The Together While Apart Project’s Thank You Nurses Campaign supports the American Nurses Foundation’s Well-being Initiative. This campaign provides free mental health and wellness resources to frontline Nurses. The campaign goal is $20,200 ( a play on the numbers 2020, the year healthcare professionals became daily heroes). Already, single-handedly I have raised over $31,000. I am not a professional fundraiser and I hate asking people for money. But I am deeply passionate about ensuring that no Nurse is forgotten, suffers in silence or feels invisible.
Thanks to the energy and imagination generated by The Together While Apart artists, we created a genuine, impactful and wonderful piece of art. This amazing artwork is a symbol of community, hope and healing and gave each artist purpose and focus during an unprecedented time in our lives. Thanks to a simple idea that I couldn’t ignore and a garage full of cardboard boxes, my vision is now a reality. This incredible artwork travelled around the East Coast on a 10 month exhibition tour. It has recently been permanently acquired and installed at The University of Virginia Medical Center in their central lobby.
My message for others today is to “SAY YES” to any and all visions, dreams and aspirations you have. When you have an idea, run with it! Be your own cheerleader and find a group of people who will support you and raise you up in your vision, no matter how insignificant you think it might be. Take that walk outside so you can hear what’s in your heart and understand what truly lights you up. No one else can give you those answers and you won’t find them sitting in front of your computer. Trust yourself and value the amazing things that make you YOU! Allow your own dreams to take form. You won’t regret it and you will be giving yourself and the world the most beautiful offering. 
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.deanevbowersart.com
- Instagram: @artandlifebydeanevbowers
- Facebook: Deane Bowers
- Twitter: @deanevbowers
- Youtube: @deanevalentinebowersart2874