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Getting Creative During COVID

Throughout 2020, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine hosted it first—and hopefully, last—Quarantine Creation Contest. Students, faculty, and staff all were invited to participate remotely in a creative, community-driven contest. Participants submitted their visual, performance, and culinary creations to be judged by the community; prizes were awarded for the top submissions in each category.

“The pandemic was so difficult from the very beginning, and still is,” says Birgit Puschner, dean for the College, who designed and launched the contest in April. “We have community members working remotely. We have frontline workers at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. We have students adjusting to new teaching platforms. This contest was meant to bring everyone together during a time when we had to stay very much apart.”

In total, 54 creations were entered into the contest. They showcased a wide range in talent, from an aerial silks’ routine and a full-length country song, to kiln-fired glass, macramé, and baked goods.

“I think everyone is so impressed, both with how much participation we had and the incredible artistic talents our community has,” Puschner says. “It was a lot of fun and nearly impossible for our judges to choose. It was a good way to stay connected when there was so much else going on.”

Winners of the contest are as follows:

• Visual Creations •

“The Perfect Sunrise” by Justin Lam, DVM Class of 2021"
From the Creator: we had arrived at our campsite late the night before about 10 minutes from this wildlife refuge. With only a few hours of sleep, we grabbed our gear, eyes still crusted, and headed off on our morning adventure. We had little expectations and knew that wildlife watching is often a gamble, but luck seemed to be on our side that morning. We were stoked to find giant shadows roaming the open field. As our eyes
adjusted and the sunlight began to creep over the mountains, we realized these silhouettes were wild long horn cattle and bison. The excitement immediately shook us from our groggy state. We sat in silence and observed them (from a distance) peacefully grazing, chewing their cud, and playing with their calves as the morning sky in the background transitioned from blue pink to orange. It was a perfect morning well spent. Shot with Sony A6000.

“My Cat Kindle” by Keri Gardner, Research Assistant, Large Animal Clinical Sciences"
From the Creator: charcoal, ink, pastel, colored pencil.

“Dreaming of Michigan Blueberries” by Dr. Annette Petersen, Associate Professor, Dermatology
From the Creator: oil on canvas.

• Performance Creations •

“Aerial Silks Routine” by Allyson Tucker, DVM Class of 2020

From the Creator: This is a video of an aerial silks routine that I choreographed... I made the video a while back; I don’t currently have a way to set up my silks and practice, which has been a sad part of quarantine for me.

“City Limit” by Dewey Longuski, Academic Specialist Instructor, Online Master of Science in Food Safety Program
From the Creator: I was in and around Nashville, TN the week of March 2 this year when the devastating tornadoes struck on March 2 and 3, and later in the week as COVID-19 began closing area events. The idea of my song “City Limit” came
to me on Wednesday of that week but I didn’t finish it until late in March. I have since submitted a demo of this song to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and it was designated as a One to Watch song.

Lyrics:

Verse 1

It’s funny how I couldn’t wait / For the small-town memories to fade
The day I chose to cross the line / Into this fast-paced, high rise life
But climbing up the corporate ladder / Lately doesn’t really matter
If I can’t find the time for fishin’ / Or eating Mama’s home-fried chicken
I think my heart knew all along / Saw the graffiti on the wall

Chorus

I finally reached my city limit / Need to leave this concrete town
Find the nearest highway leading / Anywhere that’s outward bound
Kick up dust on a country backroad / To a quiet riverbank
Put my feet and a bobber in it / I finally reached my city limit

Verse 2

Don’t regret the chance I took / Giving my dream one good look
I learned a lot ‘bout who I am / Made some money and good friends
But my soul won’t recharge / If I can’t see the moon and stars
And I sure miss the breezes blowin’ / The scent of hay and corn fields growin’
Just like a moth in the night / I was drawn in by the light

Chorus

Breakdown Chorus

“A Trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore” by Shaun Goulet, DVM Class of 2022

"My video, A trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, follows members of the MSU CVM Hiking Club and myself as we journey through sections of this 100-mile coastline Lakeshore in October 2019. This video features views from landmarks of the PR Lakeshore (Chapel Falls, Miners Castle, Au Sable Light Station, etc.), the Mackinac Bridge, and Castle Rock. This trip was a much-needed getaway for us vet students, on which we made memories that'll last forever. Photography/cinematography is a favorite hobby of mine (when I have time away from studies) as it allows me to capture the emotions and memories I experience on trips such as these. I hope you enjoy my video and it inspires you to take yourself on adventures you've been longing to journey!"

• culinary Creations •

“Cake for the Soul” by Shannon Enzenberger, DVM Class of 2024
From the Creator: A triple-layer lemon poppyseed cake that’s perfect for any occasion! Complete with lemon cream cheese frosting and some added aesthetics.

“Canadian Gin Smash” by Emilie Belage, DVM Class of 2021

From the Creator: Let’s be real, it’s been a hard 5 months... Sometimes you just need to come home to a well-deserved adult beverage. Side effects include uncontrollable laughter, sedation, and hallucinations of Ryan Reynolds.

Ingredients:
1/2 lemon, 1/4 of a lime, 1/2 clementine, mint, gin (1-2 shots), sparkling water, ice.

Not included: Ryan Reynolds

“A Slice of South Africa” by Allison DeLuca, DVM Class of 2022
From the Creator: I was supposed to go to South Africa this past May to work with a wildlife veterinarian, and I would have spent my birthday there. Since I didn’t get to do any of that, I did the
South Africa this past May to work with a wildlife veterinarian, and I would have spent my birthday there. Since I didn’t get to do any of that, I did the next best thing I could and brought a little bit of the South African wildlife to my birthday cake. Chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and royal icing decorations.

“The Business End” by Emmy Schuurmans, DVM Class of 2023
From the Creator: In production medicine, our office is quite often the rear of a cow. So much so that we can start to identify cows by their rumps
(sometimes we never even get to see their faces). Hence, my inspiration for this piece. This is a watercolor of my favorite view on the farm.