On 9/11/2020 the Rancho Santa Margarita Branch participated in the AYLUS Psychology Committee Nationwide Event 2020, entitled “Gratitude, Care, and Growth in the Pandemic” by making a magazine/artwork collage.
Though the pandemic has physically separated the branch for a considerable amount of time, the group still made efforts to collaborate on a project for the month of September. Through the AYLUS Psychology Nationwide Event, the members decided to make a collage of puzzle pieces out of paper, each representing a separate member and how they have felt during the time of the pandemic. By creating a puzzle, it represented that despite the different lives the members all lead and the personalities they carried, they were all bound together by a commonality. The puzzle pieces fit together in harmony to make a complete photo. Each piece was customized by each member with drawings, origami, or magazine clips. The magazine clippings represented the time that has passed and the trends of the pandemic and how they have brought the beauty of such a difficult time to make a beautiful piece of artwork.
The team began by sketching out the puzzle and then cutting and attaching parts to make the puzzle template. From there, different members brought supplies, and each customized what they felt represented the best and reflected their mindset during these trying times. Finally, everyone put their pieces together to create a complete image.
During the event, members were encouraged to use the time to support one another and build friendships. Each member could feel the positivity and light-heartedness of the activity in stark contrast to the challenges they may be facing otherwise. Overall, it was an extraordinary experience and opportunity to build relationships and reconnect with one another and the world.
Allison & Katie: 4.5 hours
Diana: 3.5 hours
Eva, Jasmine, Stella, Jane, Henry, Steven: 2.5 hours