- April 26, 2024
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As the community continued to see impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristin Heron saw the importance of continuing to provide art programs at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.
The museum's doors might've been closed, but people were still able to see and experience art. Keeping the community connected to art and to the museum were big goals, said Heron, one they accomplished through the online programs, art video tutorials and exhibits such as the virtual pandemic art exhibits. She received many emails in response to those exhibits. Not only did they provide some entertainment from home, but they also took the loneliness away, she said.
"It’s a way to still be together with familiar faces, and also make new friends, even if we’re not in the same room physically," Heron said. "For many, this year has brought a lot of change, stress, division and loneliness – and it’s also been an opportunity to learn, connect and appreciate. Art can help us process all of those feelings, and also remind us that we’re not alone."
Heron grew up in Ormond, and for the past six years, she has worked as the curator of education, outreach and exhibitions at OMAM. She sets up all the tuition programs, works with the exhibition committee to select artists for shows, and manages outreach opportunities such as the various veterans programs and Art of Healing in partnership with AdventHealth.
Teaching that last program has always been one of Heron's favorite parts of her job. Art of Healing is a free monthly program open to patients, caregivers or survivors of medical complications, and strives to allow all participants to explore healing through art. That's something that has been extremely relevant lately, Heron said.
"Kristin is an artist and is responsible for organizing the art exhibitions, education and outreach programs at the museum. She is an Ormond native and Seabreeze graduate with a degree in Studio Art and Music from Rollins College in Winter Park. Along with designing our outreach education programs, Kristin takes great pride in teaching them and has done a great job this year of learning to film and teach online."
Susan Richmond, Ormond Memorial Art Museum director
Art of Healing is now a hybrid class, with participants being provided with a video tutorial and a kit of all the necessary supplies for the project. Then, there is a scheduled Zoom social where they can all share their works or ask questions. A benefit of this new way to hold classes is that the museum has been able to reach new people.
Plus, she has a helper at home: Her dog Django, whom she rescued on Valentine's Day in 2019. Heron describes herself as an introvert, and recording herself for the online programs was a big change for her. As she improved her video editing skills, she was also trying to think of ways to make art students smile.
“Obviously, I put Django on camera," Heron said. "He’s just so cute. You can’t really look at him without smiling.”
He's now earned a new position within the museum, Heron joked.
"After all his hard work during the pandemic, Django has recently been promoted to VP of Barketing and is currently planning the museum’s annual Dogapalooza event to be held [virtually] in January 2021," Heron said.
To celebrate the love she found when she adopted Django from the Halifax Humane Society, Heron is doing "Puppy Love Portraits" again, a project she started in 2020. From January until Valentine's Day, she will be taking free photos of people with their dogs.
It's not the first time her art revolves around animals. Since 2012, Heron has honed in on developing her artistic style, using colors and symbolism to evoke moods in her paintings, she said. Animals often make their way to her canvases. She draws on experiences from her personal life, and hopes in doing so that she will be able to connect with the person viewing her art.
"While our stories may be different, some themes like love, hope, joy, and sorrow are universal," Heron said. "My goal as an artist and as a person is to recognize our similarities and differences and navigate a path to empathy. Art helps me find my way."
Visit KristinHeronArt.com
