Arlington Public Library

Quaranzine

Quaranzine: Issue 3

April 20: Notes From the Field

Quaranzine is a weekly collection of creative works from the Arlington community that documents how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in. Submit your own work.

Week four of quarantine has us all feeling like trapped tigers, I think.
Sierra Barnes, "Quarantiger" - Week four of quarantine has us all feeling like trapped tigers, I think.
In my poem, "2020," I describe the strange arrival of the simpler life I've been embracing in these harder times. The worst HAS come. Priorities are reordered. Complaints and false alarms recede. Suddenly, all is still. What do we hear?
Rachel Clark, "2020" - In my poem, "2020," I describe the strange arrival of the simpler life I've been embracing in these harder times. The worst HAS come. Priorities are reordered. Complaints and false alarms recede. Suddenly, all is still. What do we hear?
When I'm feeling stressed I like to listen to Ira Glass's soothing voice on "This American Life". It's usually a place of escape for me, but now they're focusing so much on the pandemic and crisis around that in this podcast too. Is my place of comfort being destroyed, or should I be reassured that my fears are normal? I just want Ira Glass to reassure me with that nice, smooth voice of his.
Nico Felsenheld, "Emotional Support NPR Host" - When I'm feeling stressed I like to listen to Ira Glass's soothing voice on "This American Life". It's usually a place of escape for me, but now they're focusing so much on the pandemic and crisis around that in this podcast too. Is my place of comfort being destroyed, or should I be reassured that my fears are normal? I just want Ira Glass to reassure me with that nice, smooth voice of his.
A short poem reflecting on the current state of affairs.
Rashmi Dighe, "Journal Entry" - A short poem reflecting on the current state of affairs.
The hard working staff at our local Harris Teeter (Lee Harrison) inspired me to write this poem.
Sabina Beg, "Also First Responders" - The hard working staff at our local Harris Teeter (Lee Harrison) inspired me to write this poem.
This image represents the angel in everyone that feels they are in a dark place looking outside their abode.
David Stanley, "Stuck Inside" -This image represents the angel in everyone that feels they are in a dark place looking outside their abode.
A poem in praise of those who stock the shelves in supermarkets during this pandemic.
Lisa Busch, "Stocker" - A poem in praise of those who stock the shelves in supermarkets during this pandemic.
Collage in tetradic color scheme.
Beth Skubis, "Coronate" - Collage in tetradic color scheme.
A painterly, slightly abstract work that presents a happy home but also I consider some contrasts in life...such as: success vs. happiness; loneliness vs. togetherness, etc. Analogous complementary color scheme emphasizing the red roofs. The focal point is the lower left black window with white trim. What is inside there? What are the people like? What do they do? Are those flowers in the upstairs window?
Andrew Henderson, "Abby and Matt's House" - A painterly, slightly abstract work that presents a happy home but also I consider some contrasts in life...such as: success vs. happiness; loneliness vs. togetherness, etc. Analogous complementary color scheme emphasizing the red roofs. The focal point is the lower left black window with white trim. What is inside there? What are the people like? What do they do? Are those flowers in the upstairs window?
An artistic depiction of ways I would be spending my time under different circumstances. Social distancing saves lives, but that doesn't prevent our imaginations from taking us other places.
Enid Chiu, "If I Weren't Quarantined" - An artistic depiction of ways I would be spending my time under different circumstances. Social distancing saves lives, but that doesn't prevent our imaginations from taking us other places.
Postcard, after being sent to a friend (Arlington Public Library's Michael Nelson!)
John Conroy, "Sanitize Your Hands" - Postcard, after being sent to a friend (Arlington Public Library's Michael Nelson!)
Our daughter had her 10th birthday on April 2nd. No party for her this year; we celebrated as a family at home as best we could. Some friends made it extra special by singing Happy Birthday to her in fun costumes, from out on the sidewalk; my husband took a video and captured this screenshot
Liz Matthews, "Quarantine Birthday Serenade" - Our daughter had her 10th birthday on April 2nd. No party for her this year; we celebrated as a family at home as best we could. Some friends made it extra special by singing Happy Birthday to her in fun costumes, from out on the sidewalk; my husband took a video and captured this screenshot
I make pens at home in my shop and also enjoy the product photography for my own marketing and online store. Throughout this quarantine period, I've been making a lot of pens and I feel like I've been rediscovering the natural beauty of the wood burls and wood grain after turning so many acrylic pens in the months prior. This pen is called the Emperor Fountain and it's made with a beautiful piece of Kingwood from Brazil. The rich color of the wood, details of the close-up nib, and embellishment on the cap on the black reflective surface create a very classy image.
Paul Cress, "The Emperor's Fountain Pen" - I make pens at home in my shop and also enjoy the product photography for my own marketing and online store. Throughout this quarantine period, I've been making a lot of pens and I feel like I've been rediscovering the natural beauty of the wood burls and wood grain after turning so many acrylic pens in the months prior. This pen is called the Emperor Fountain and it's made with a beautiful piece of Kingwood from Brazil. The rich color of the wood, details of the close-up nib, and embellishment on the cap on the black reflective surface create a very classy image.
This poem looks at the reaction of governments and people to the outbreak and the need to stand together.
Danica Gonzalves, "Divided Unity" - This poem looks at the reaction of governments and people to the outbreak and the need to stand together.
In the midst of these strange and challenging times, our pets give us unconditional love and support. They encourage socialization—however distant—and give us love and affection. Oreo is cuddly and sweet; this drawing shows his calm demeanor and pleasant personality.
Melanie Roberts, "Oreo" - In the midst of these strange and challenging times, our pets give us unconditional love and support. They encourage socialization—however distant—and give us love and affection. Oreo is cuddly and sweet; this drawing shows his calm demeanor and pleasant personality.
This drawing was in response to witnessing flocks of geese fly above my house where my family has been socially distancing since mid-March. Do the geese know what's going on below? When I struggle with the isolation, I look to these geese maintaining their regular daily patterns for hope. We'll get there again soon.
Chloe Irla, "Flock: Social Distance" - This drawing was in response to witnessing flocks of geese fly above my house where my family has been socially distancing since mid-March. Do the geese know what's going on below? When I struggle with the isolation, I look to these geese maintaining their regular daily patterns for hope. We'll get there again soon.
This is my mother's recipe, a true Minnesotan. She is a very active senior of 104 years old in Perham MN. She recently was awarded an honorary HS diploma; received the State of Minnesota Award for aging gracefully; and was interviewed on a local radio program. She sends her best wishes to stay healthy and survive the virus. She survived the flu epidemic of 1918, but lost her uncle.
Lowell Rosen, "Minnesota Hot Dish Recipe" - This is my mother's recipe, a true Minnesotan. She is a very active senior of 104 years old in Perham MN. She recently was awarded an honorary HS diploma; received the State of Minnesota Award for aging gracefully; and was interviewed on a local radio program. She sends her best wishes to stay healthy and survive the virus. She survived the flu epidemic of 1918, but lost her uncle.
As I'm generally a home-body, I've been opting for using all this down time to make things that bring me joy! Chocolate muffins *oven bings*, crochet projects, drawing, these doodles, etc. I've found myself saying... I was made for this! But then I realized the gender stereotype that "a woman's place is in the home" (which is sexist). While recognizing the gender stereotypes that lead me to my hobbies, I'm reclaiming my space in the home as a person who likes to be there--I mean look at the picture, I'm really am taking up the whole living room. Have a nice walk husband, I'll try that some day!
Brooke Lacock-Nisly, "Many Ways of Coping" - As I'm generally a home-body, I've been opting for using all this down time to make things that bring me joy! Chocolate muffins *oven bings*, crochet projects, drawing, these doodles, etc. I've found myself saying... I was made for this! But then I realized the gender stereotype that "a woman's place is in the home" (which is sexist). While recognizing the gender stereotypes that lead me to my hobbies, I'm reclaiming my space in the home as a person who likes to be there--I mean look at the picture, I'm really am taking up the whole living room. Have a nice walk husband, I'll try that some day!
Made in quarantine: mixed media on canvas 14x10.75"
Madison Bolls, "Gaia" - Made in quarantine: mixed media on canvas 14x10.75"
I'm a poet and stay at home mother living in the Fairlington neighborhood. This poem is about the pandemic and how it alters us in different ways.
Sarah Lilius, "Mask or No Mask" - I'm a poet and stay at home mother living in the Fairlington neighborhood. This poem is about the pandemic and how it alters us in different ways.
I was in the sports bar business before I retired in c1991 and I have a large collection of sports memorabilia. I also miss my Washington Nationals Baseball. So what I have been doing is organizing my collection and with the use of my scanner and printer creating images for montages and gluing them in scrapbooks. This is a great hobby when you are alone in the Man Cave, I am a bachelor, during this time of Social Distancing. I encourage everyone to consider scrapbooking as a distraction especially if you have bored children and grandchildren!
Michael O'Harro, "Washington Nationals Scrapbook" - I was in the sports bar business before I retired in c1991 and I have a large collection of sports memorabilia. I also miss my Washington Nationals Baseball. So what I have been doing is organizing my collection and with the use of my scanner and printer creating images for montages and gluing them in scrapbooks. This is a great hobby when you are alone in the Man Cave, I am a bachelor, during this time of Social Distancing. I encourage everyone to consider scrapbooking as a distraction especially if you have bored children and grandchildren!
If Louise Bourgeois was alive, I think she would supply a mask and blue plastic gloves to her Spider residing at the National Gallery of Art in Wash DC. This is a 5X7 canvas using acrylic, cloth and bits of a plastic glove.
Suzie Taylor, "Corona Spider" - If Louise Bourgeois was alive, I think she would supply a mask and blue plastic gloves to her Spider residing at the National Gallery of Art in Wash DC. This is a 5X7 canvas using acrylic, cloth and bits of a plastic glove.
This is one of my go-to recipes. It's simple, requires few utensils, and comes together in about a half-hour. Baking these in a muffin tin encourages more of the outside to brown while also creating a thicker middle. This means a much better crunchy outside to soft, cakey inside ratio.
Tricia Mirchandani, "Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffin Recipe" - This is one of my go-to recipes. It's simple, requires few utensils, and comes together in about a half-hour. Baking these in a muffin tin encourages more of the outside to brown while also creating a thicker middle. This means a much better crunchy outside to soft, cakey inside ratio.
This picture is of bright pink flowers which I think really highlights positivity and happiness which can make people smile during this time knowing that they should keep their chin up and stay happy.
Hannah Portner, "Springing Positivity During Quarantine" - This picture is of bright pink flowers which I think really highlights positivity and happiness which can make people smile during this time knowing that they should keep their chin up and stay happy.
Kelsey Reed, "Quarantine Limerick"
Mixed media on wood: acrylic paint, metallic paint, tarot cards, sharpie pen, stamps 12"" X 24" The turning point of a disease when an important change takes place, indicating either recovery or death; physically, economically, leadership, organizational misdeeds . Now, in this age of Covid 19, is a crisis point of history. Soon we will be at the zero hour point of no return. I fear for our humanity, for our future.
Jennifer Beinhacker, "What Does the Future Hold in Times of Crisis? - "Mixed media on wood: acrylic paint, metallic paint, tarot cards, sharpie pen, stamps 12"" X 24" The turning point of a disease when an important change takes place, indicating either recovery or death; physically, economically, leadership, organizational misdeeds . Now, in this age of Covid 19, is a crisis point of history. Soon we will be at the zero hour point of no return. I fear for our humanity, for our future.
This was a 6”x6” acrylic on canvas piece I made to raise money for the coronavirus response. It is cheeky, but also representative of one of the items that has oddly come to symbolize the systemic issues coronavirus has revealed.
Jacqueline Acker, "Still Life With Toilet Paper" - This was a 6”x6” acrylic on canvas piece I made to raise money for the coronavirus response. It is cheeky, but also representative of one of the items that has oddly come to symbolize the systemic issues coronavirus has revealed.
I made this watercolor for some friends who were feeling overwhelmed and wondered what I was doing to stay grounded and calm. The act of reflecting and water coloring was therapeutic in it of itself for me and I knew it could also help others to feel not so alone.
Sarah Strunk, "Sarah Strunk's Regiment For Not Going Absolutely Insane" - I made this watercolor for some friends who were feeling overwhelmed and wondered what I was doing to stay grounded and calm. The act of reflecting and water coloring was therapeutic in it of itself for me and I knew it could also help others to feel not so alone.
A short poem about productivity stress in a difficult time for our community.
Stephen D'Alessio, "Our Cocoon" - A short poem about productivity stress in a difficult time for our community.
Inspired by William Hodges's painting "Ice Islands with Resolution and Adventure" during an antarctic expedition. Hodges and other travel journalists' writings have allowed me to explore while staying at home.
Angelina Jones, "Escape" - Inspired by William Hodges's painting "Ice Islands with Resolution and Adventure" during an antarctic expedition. Hodges and other travel journalists' writings have allowed me to explore while staying at home.
I write songs. They can be read as poems, or you can make up your own melodies and sing them. This one has suggested guitar chords.
Carl Gold, "When the Rabbit Hopped Over the Moon" - I write songs. They can be read as poems, or you can make up your own melodies and sing them. This one has suggested guitar chords.
Some things remain constant.
Diane Kresh - Some things remain constant.
Submit to Quaranzine

The next deadline for submissions to Quaranzine is Thursday, April 23

Quaranzine: Issue 2

April 13: Signs of a Socially Distant Spring

Quaranzine is a weekly collection of creative works from the Arlington community that documents how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in. Submit your own work.

We are all hyper-aware of hand washing, face touching and physical distancing these days. Doing something that would have been relaxing pre-COVID-19, like a massage, now feels threatening. Made with collaged elements including a withdrawn sticker from an old library book, updated with a new stamp date; found images; painted paper; and fingerprints from a stamp pad, pressed three times to represent the decrease in virulence on surfaces over the course of days.
Molly McCracken, "Try to Relax" - We are all hyper-aware of hand washing, face touching and physical distancing these days. Doing something that would have been relaxing pre-COVID-19, like a massage, now feels threatening. Made with collaged elements including a withdrawn sticker from an old library book, updated with a new stamp date; found images; painted paper; and fingerprints from a stamp pad, pressed three times to represent the decrease in virulence on surfaces over the course of days.
For all those who are suddenly separated by lockdowns and shelter-in-place announcements.
Everly Jazi, "Love in a Time of Coronavirus" - For all those who are suddenly separated by lockdowns and shelter-in-place announcements.
Lighthearted pun about our dimly-lit basement. We're working re-mole-tly! Follow the hashtag #newlyremoted on Instagram and Facebook to see Brooke's quirky weekday doodles as she depicts her experiences working from home with her husband. Not only are they newly-wed, they're both #newlyremoted.
Brooke Lackock-Nisly, "Basement Apartment Office" - Lighthearted pun about our dimly-lit basement. We're working re-mole-tly! Follow the hashtag #newlyremoted on Instagram and Facebook to see Brooke's quirky weekday doodles as she depicts her experiences working from home with her husband. Not only are they newly-wed, they're both #newlyremoted.
Prince and I investigate @AlcovaRocks during our walks. They are uplifting bursts of color and joy by local artists. These rocks provide neighborly connection while practicing social distancing.
Sarah Campany, "Prince@AlcovaRocks" - Prince and I investigate @AlcovaRocks during our walks. They are uplifting bursts of color and joy by local artists. These rocks provide neighborly connection while practicing social distancing.
I am a seasonal allergy sufferer. As spring arrived early this year in the DC area, there have been a number of mornings that I've woken up with symptoms that could either be allergies or the Coronavirus. The attached comic was inspired by this conundrum.
Erika Johnson, "Coronavirus and Allergies" - I am a seasonal allergy sufferer. As spring arrived early this year in the DC area, there have been a number of mornings that I've woken up with symptoms that could either be allergies or the Coronavirus. The attached comic was inspired by this conundrum.
Acrylic on paper, 24x24
Don Rubin, "Around Here" - Acrylic on paper, 24x24
My piece is both an essay and a book review. As it happens I discovered this great book after we closed the library due to coronavirus. I also run the LGBTQIA book club at Shirlington, so I will be recommending it to the group, but until then, I wanted to share the experience of discovering such a compelling topic and book at such a unique time in history.
Victoria Dale, "Immerse Yourself: Thoughts on Passing the New Plague With the Legends of Drag" - My piece is both an essay and a book review. As it happens I discovered this great book after we closed the library due to coronavirus. I also run the LGBTQIA book club at Shirlington, so I will be recommending it to the group, but until then, I wanted to share the experience of discovering such a compelling topic and book at such a unique time in history.
Blackout poetry/collage: "A map of miracles, prayers as dark as ink, the poets are stranded."
Bekah Richards, "The Poets Are Stranded" - Blackout poetry/collage: "A map of miracles, prayers as dark as ink, the poets are stranded."
I keep a daily sketchbook of things I encounter when I'm out and about each day. With outside trips severely limited these days, I have been looking inside for inspiration. This practice has helped me reconfigure what "doing something" looks like and what the markers of a "productive day" might be.
Brooke Stoneman, "Inside Home" - I keep a daily sketchbook of things I encounter when I'm out and about each day. With outside trips severely limited these days, I have been looking inside for inspiration. This practice has helped me reconfigure what "doing something" looks like and what the markers of a "productive day" might be.
A short poem reflecting on the state of affairs during this quarantine.
Rashmi Dighe, "Unmasked" - A short poem reflecting on the state of affairs during this quarantine.
Have you every wanted to escape? Go to a beautiful cottage in the woods? An escapade from your worries? Well say no more, and consider renting this humble estate from Mr. Worm! This one bedroom two bath relaxing chalet is complete with its own swimming pool and lush forest. Keep your mind off of the world by setting yourself in a peaceful plant pot. Your serene vacation is waiting!
Adriana Sheppard, "Home Sweet Worm" - Have you every wanted to escape? Go to a beautiful cottage in the woods? An escapade from your worries? Well say no more, and consider renting this humble estate from Mr. Worm! This one bedroom two bath relaxing chalet is complete with its own swimming pool and lush forest. Keep your mind off of the world by setting yourself in a peaceful plant pot. Your serene vacation is waiting!
A reminder that staying home will ultimately lead to life, even if we don't feel it now.
Abby Hargreaves, "Let's Stay Home (please)" - A reminder that staying home will ultimately lead to life, even if we don't feel it now.
Essay comparing the lifestyle changes COVID_19 triggered, which could be viewed as a terrible curse to one species but, ironically, an unforseeable boon to another.
Barbara Bryant, "COVID-19: To Men a Scourge, To Dogs, a Cruel Tease" - Essay comparing the lifestyle changes COVID-19 triggered, which could be viewed as a terrible curse to one species but, ironically, an unforeseeable boon to another.
Pen and ink with gouache / 5" x 6"
Maribeth Egan, "Corona Spring" - Pen and ink with gouache / 5" x 6"
A sweet neighbor made chalk photo stations, a maze and an obstacle course for children to enjoy on their daily walk outside.
Beckie DiPasquale, "Sidewalk Angel" - A sweet neighbor made chalk photo stations, a maze and an obstacle course for children to enjoy on their daily walk outside.
On a walk I saw this kite impaled on a tree. The gripping branches reminded me of how I have felt during this pandemic: tangled and trapped. The fact that the pattern on the kite is the Stars and Stripes expands that feeling to what my fellow citizens must be experiencing too. It might seem a bleak image, but a strong wind will free the kite. Our resolve to social distance is the strong wind that will eventually free us from this pandemic.
Marianne Petrino, "Tangled" - On a walk I saw this kite impaled on a tree. The gripping branches reminded me of how I have felt during this pandemic: tangled and trapped. The fact that the pattern on the kite is the Stars and Stripes expands that feeling to what my fellow citizens must be experiencing too. It might seem a bleak image, but a strong wind will free the kite. Our resolve to social distance is the strong wind that will eventually free us from this pandemic.
In the midst of the pandemic our Arlington County art class run by Jim Halloran has moved online and we paint together on zoom after watching a YouTube video Jim made as a lesson. It's pretty great to still get to connect with everyone and be distracted.
Ali Coyle, "Gator Eye"- In the midst of the pandemic our Arlington County art class run by Jim Halloran has moved online and we paint together on zoom after watching a YouTube video Jim made as a lesson. It's pretty great to still get to connect with everyone and be distracted.
On an Arlington County sign, I place the three most talked about products. Everything is a little askew and the sign is not perfectly straight on the sign. Life is not straight, but a little off right now.
Eric Cassel, "The Essence of the Times" - On an Arlington County sign, I place the three most talked about products. Everything is a little askew and the sign is not perfectly straight on the sign. Life is not straight, but a little off right now.
Like most Arlingtonians, I have been limiting my time outside to walking the dog and necessary trips for food and other essentials. The mornings are much quieter these days and the songs and calls of birds have been especially uplifting in this challenging time.
Gregory Luce, "Morning Report: 2 April 2020" - Like most Arlingtonians, I have been limiting my time outside to walking the dog and necessary trips for food and other essentials. The mornings are much quieter these days and the songs and calls of birds have been especially uplifting in this challenging time.
Is it true that Covid-19 is killed in the intestinal tract? In that case "Die Covid, Die! I'm going to eat you!"
Gwen Sampson, "Covid Cake" - Is it true that Covid-19 is killed in the intestinal tract? In that case "Die Covid, Die! I'm going to eat you!"
Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms coincided with an increasing need to practice social distancing. Instead of risking the crowds at the Tidal Basin, I visited Central Library where I was treated to a magnificent display.
Jennifer Odlum, "Cherry Blossoms" - Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms coincided with an increasing need to practice social distancing. Instead of risking the crowds at the Tidal Basin, I visited Central Library where I was treated to a magnificent display.
My life in quarantine
Katherine Degroff, "Day 22" - My life in quarantine.
I have been taking many walks and photographing the flowers I see in my neighborhood. These daffodils looking out on the world from behind their fence reminded me of all of us in quarantine.
Laura DeMaria, "Daffodils Behind a Fence" - I have been taking many walks and photographing the flowers I see in my neighborhood. These daffodils looking out on the world from behind their fence reminded me of all of us in quarantine.
I wrote a poem to express what's keeping me going. It's you, it's me, it's us. What gets me though is knowing that we're in this together, to help us get through. Thank you for putting this project together. It's quite heartwarming.
Devin Boyle, "Keeping On" - I wrote a poem to express what's keeping me going. It's you, it's me, it's us. What gets me though is knowing that we're in this together, to help us get through. Thank you for putting this project together. It's quite heartwarming.
Looking through the bars of the prison.
Barry Dunn, "Cabin Fever" - Looking through the bars of the prison.
With time on my hands, I've been doing a little drawing and watercolor painting. This was an attempt to turn one of my photos into a painting.
Winifred Scheffler, "Untitled" - With time on my hands, I've been doing a little drawing and watercolor painting. This was an attempt to turn one of my photos into a painting.
This 11x14” acrylic painting is based on a sunset photo taken by a friend on his sailboat while sailing on the Potomac before the Stay-at-home order. It reminds me to treasure the freedom we still have to explore in nature.
Alanna Rivera, "Potomac River Sunset" - This 11x14” acrylic painting is based on a sunset photo taken by a friend on his sailboat while sailing on the Potomac before the Stay-at-home order. It reminds me to treasure the freedom we still have to explore in nature.
In the midst of this horror, there are still signs of spring, of hope.
Ruth Compton, "And Still: Spring" - In the midst of this horror, there are still signs of spring, of hope.
Portrait of a young woman in physical isolation watching tv and waiting for Corona to end.
Amari Eaglin, "Wake Me Up When Corona Ends" -Portrait of a young woman in physical isolation watching tv and waiting for Corona to end.
These are painted river rocks from Arlington, Va.
Betty Perfall, "Painted River Rocks" -These are painted river rocks from Arlington, Va.
Yesterday was a tough day. Writing these few lines helped a bit.
Diane Kresh, "Grieving in a Time of COVID19" - Yesterday was a tough day. Writing these few lines helped a bit.
Submit to Quaranzine

The next deadline for submissions to Quaranzine is Thursday, April 16

Quaranzine: Issue 1

April 3, Arlington County Staff Edition

Quaranzine is a weekly collection of creative works from the Arlington community that documents how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in. Submit your own work.

Photo of street diorama with rubber rats holding signs in Old Town Alexandria.
Alex Zealand, "Rats for Social Distancing" - Street diorama with rubber rats holding signs. Photographed in Old Town Alexandria.
A group of us from HR went down to AFAC to give them a gloved hand during the CORONA time as they were hurting in number of volunteers.
Aline Brito, "AFACting in Times of Quarantine" - A group of us from HR went down to AFAC to give them a gloved hand during the CORONA time as they were hurting in number of volunteers.
I like to research and find out more when I'm anxious and feel I don't have control. Questions like, have we gone through something like this in the past? The answer is always yes, in a way. Plague Doctors look scary, but I encourage you to look closer; they were doctors. They were there on the front lines to diagnose and help. The beak of the mask was filled with flowers and herbs often thought to chase away the bad smells of disease. The stick or cane was used for social distancing and for examining. The round hat was the symbol of a doctor at this time. Of course, this was before germ theory. I wanted to draw and play with ink to get my mind off of our current situation, but still remember that we have survived.
Brit Austin, "The Doctor" - I like to research and find out more when I'm anxious and feel I don't have control. Questions like, have we gone through something like this in the past? The answer is always yes, in a way. Plague Doctors look scary, but I encourage you to look closer; they were doctors. They were there on the front lines to diagnose and help. The beak of the mask was filled with flowers and herbs often thought to chase away the bad smells of disease. The stick or cane was used for social distancing and for examining. The round hat was the symbol of a doctor at this time. Of course, this was before germ theory. I wanted to draw and play with ink to get my mind off of our current situation, but still remember that we have survived.
Brittany Ham, "A Timeline of my Self-Quarantine Sweets" - A visual timeline of all the sweets I've made completely from scratch in the past two weeks!
6 panel cartoon about a guinea pig who has a scary face and scares off potential friends.
Clea Counts, "Herman the Guinea Pig Monster"
When I was a teenager, I painted this scene on the cinder block wall of my parents’ basement. For 50+ years, The Caterpillar smoked his hookah and watched the world go by. His hookah smoking days may be coming to an end. The house was sold last week and the new owners might not be hip enough to handle it. The picture was taken on March 24, 2020.
Diane Kresh, "What a Difference 14 Years Makes" - When I was a teenager, I painted this scene on the cinder block wall of my parents’ basement. For 50+ years, The Caterpillar smoked his hookah and watched the world go by. His hookah smoking days may be coming to an end. The house was sold last week and the new owners might not be hip enough to handle it. The picture was taken on March 24, 2020.
Hannah Axt, "How to Make a Hand Sanitizer Mini Piñata " - Click on image for link to pdf instruction.
I've decided to start making daily sketches of things in & around my home. This was my first sketch (3/29/2020) and I hope to continue this practice until this pandemic passes.
Janelle Ortiz, "Pothos Sketch" - I've decided to start making daily sketches of things in & around my home. This was my first sketch (3/29/2020) and I hope to continue this practice until this pandemic passes.
Photo of a beautiful fall tree, superimposed with the words "The world feels like it’s falling apart. And, honestly, it is. I’ve been overwhelmed with anxiety, some days to the point that I can barely function. I feel like I want to help more, but I'm also paralyzed because even venturing to the grocery store causes a panic attack. It’s hard to imagine what the world will be like when this is over, especially because there are a lot of people who are dying, who know people who are dying, who are losing their jobs, who are struggling to survive. I want to believe people who are staying optimistic and saying that we’ll get through this, but the truth is that a lot of people won’t. I’m trying not to be overwhelmed with anxiety and hopelessness. I’m trying to do what I can to help people in whatever way I’m able. I’m trying to balance my feelings of guilt of not being able to do more with the knowledge that I need to do what I can to make sure I’m ok. I think we’re all trying to find the right balance. I think it’s good to maintain the optimism that we’ll get through this—that the sun will still rise for most of us, that the trees that have been bare all winter will continue to bloom, that not everything is terrible. But our world has been cracked in a way that is not going to heal fully, and we need to recognize that too. Then we need to figure out how to live in that world."
Katelyn Attanasio, "Reparo"
Liz Laribee, "Apologies I've Made to My Partner This Month vol. 1" - Remorse gets really specific in quarantine.
Carved face yawning, or screaming, with ivy growing around it.
Maria Lauron, "Ivy Face" (editor's note: #mood)
I made this for a friend who is having a lot happen in her life, in addition to what we're all living with. She's not the type to sit quietly and wait for something to be resolved. She's a fixer and a doer and I know how our current world and the necessity of just waiting is wearing on her. Going through this is requiring a quiet kind of courage and I wanted her to know that I see that in her.
Megan Biggins, "OK" - I made this for a friend who is having a lot happen in her life, in addition to what we're all living with. She's not the type to sit quietly and wait for something to be resolved. She's a fixer and a doer and I know how our current world and the necessity of just waiting is wearing on her. Going through this is requiring a quiet kind of courage and I wanted her to know that I see that in her.
A neighborhood birthday party in the time of coronavirus.
Patricia Loverich, "Happy Birthday James" -A neighborhood birthday party in the time of coronavirus.
My submission is inspired by a book in our library catalog called What I Lick Before Your Face: And Other Haikus by Dogs by Jamie Coleman. I decided to write a haiku in the voice of my dog, with the content of the poem being inspired by the lazy dog picture
Peg Owen, "Haiku-In the Voice of Cheety" - My submission is inspired by a book in our library catalog called What I Lick Before Your Face: And Other Haikus by Dogs by Jamie Coleman. I decided to write a haiku in the voice of my dog, with the content of the poem being inspired by the lazy dog picture
Oh quarantine beard! You lost patch of shrubs. How nice of you to let me down when allI asked is for you to show up. Oh quarantine beard! I know you’re doing your best. Social distancing? More like social misstancing. Stay six feet away from your group. Oh quarantine beard! At least it’s just me. It’s not like everyone in every Zoom happy hour. Can see what we’re trying to do. Oh quarantine beard! Remember Conan O’Brien? He disappeared for like two weeks one time. And came back much thicker than you. Oh quarantine beard! Here comes the fifth stage. They took away the gyms, schools, and stores. So I’m giving up my razor blades. Oh quarantine beard!We’re in for the long run, I guess. We’ll get through this together until June tenth When you’re off to a farm upstate.
Pete Petruski, "My Friend the 3 O'clock Shadow" - A poem about a very first world problem and minor disappointment of the social isolation era.
Creating mandalas pulls me out of my analytical mind for a moment and gives me a sense of wholeness.
Ruth Compton, "And Just for a Moment: Wholeness" - Creating mandalas pulls me out of my analytical mind for a moment and gives me a sense of wholeness.
Submit to Quaranzine

The next deadline for submissions to Quaranzine is Thursday, April 9. 

Quaranzine: Call for Submissions

Rolling Submissions

The Library is accepting submissions to Quaranzine, a collection of creative works from our community that document how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in.

All ages are welcome and encouraged to submit work; content should be appropriate for a wide audience.

What is Quaranzine?

Quaranzine will be a small online publication of local art and writing by the Arlington community, distributed through the Library website. It is based on the DIY aesthetic of Zines.

Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Art
  • Writing: essays, poetry, fiction, Top Ten lists, reviews, etc (500 words or fewer)
  • Visual tutorials
  • Comics
  • Photography
  • Recipes

We are unable to accept audio or video formats.

Rules and Submission Guidelines

Submission

  • Submit your work using the form at the bottom of this page. Name your file: Firstname_Lastname.format.
  • Submissions will be reviewed by a committee of Arlington Public Library staff.
  • Submissions are limited to one per person, per issue.
  • Anyone within the Arlington Public Library community may submit. You do not need to be an Arlington resident to participate.
  • By submitting work you grant the Arlington Public Library the right to publish that work in Quaranzine. Though published by Arlington Public Library, ownership rights of original work remain with the creator.
  • All content must be original and previously unpublished.
  • All work is subject to County and Library standards of conduct.
  • Submitting work does not guarantee publication.

Notification

  • Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to respond to each one.
  • We are unable to provide feedback on submissions that are not accepted.
  • If your work is selected for Quaranzine, you will be notified upon publication.

How to Apply

All entries must be submitted online using the form below.

Visual work:

  • Upload a 72 dpi jpg or png of your work
  • File name format: Firstname_Lastname.format

Written work:

  • Upload a Word doc or PDF
  • Include your name on the document
  • File name format: Firstname_Lastname.format



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