COVID-19 may have stopped a lot of things, but creativity and arts in the Quad Cities is not one of them.

Quad City Arts, a local arts advocacy organization, has decided to continue with their annual High School Art Invitational, bringing a sense of light to this dark time.

The group had to move the event online this year, in wake of concerns over the spread of COVID-19 and Illinois’s stay-at-home order, which prevents all nonessential travel.

Even the awards ceremony was moved online, and will be livestreamed to the public Tuesday, April 7th, at 6 PM on the Quad City Arts Facebook page.

Teachers were allowed to submit the works of 5 of their students, and were also allowed one wood project, one project made from recycled materials, and one film project. 12 schools, 13 teachers, and 97 students were featured in the show.

The awards cover various area, and involve over $5,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Central students featured were Lena Dybro, Elise Dorrance, Hayden IntVeld, Isabelle Critten, Victoria Young, and several more. Teachers involved include Mr. Balsar, Mr. Rangel, Mrs. Ott, and Mr. DiGioia.

To view the gallery, click here.

To watch the livestream on April 7th at 6 PM, click here.