When Douglass Cornman, Director of Island Outreach for the Maine Seacoast Mission, asked IRW to collaborate on a literacy program on Isle au Haut called “Processing the Pandemic Through Art," we jumped aboard! The goal of the program was to allow island residents to depict their experiences and emotions throughout the pandemic into a book of their own making.

IRW Director of School Programs, Alison Johnson, knew immediately who to call to help with the artistic process. She knew author/illustrator Stephen Costanza, himself a resident of North Haven, would be perfect for connecting with the people of Isle au Haut, and he was recruited to guide the art process.

Alison boarded the Sunbeam in Northeast Harbor along with the crew, Douglass and Stephen, and headed out for two nights aboard the boat and a day of creative thinking at Isle au Haut's Town Hall. During the program, a theme of eights emerged pretty quickly in the planning process; eight pages, eight words, eight colors. Lo and behold, there were eight participants!

The number felt fluid and representative of infinity. First, the group reflected back on our pandemic experience. What words came to mind? What experiences did we have? What feelings, music, activities did we experience? The results were amazing, with each individual producing completely unique stories through the process.

Participants thought it was a good way to capture and summarize the Covid-19 experience and see how others coped. Though artistic expression didn’t come naturally to all, one participant noted, “Everyone has art ability when folks like Steve aid.” IRW was thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with the people of Isle au Haut, thanks to Maine Seacoast Mission, the Sunbeam and her amazing crew.