Aliyah Sidqe, a mentee of the artist and activist Milton Bowens, uses her paintings to uplift the community. 

Laurelin Gilmore weaves zodiac and earthy elements to show the connectivity humans have to nature.

Kevin Hernandez is a people person. His enthusiasm, extroversion and passion for creating connections among people is palpable through the television screen where, for seven years, he has appeared on “Good Day Sacramento.”

Last year was a strong one for the performing arts in the region, and 2020 was building on that success, which has led to hope from some local arts leaders that this progress will continue despite the unprecedented shutdown.

Crawford’s Books owner Sue Richards now offers curbside pickup at her store on Freeport Boulevard in the Hollywood Park neighborhood of Sacramento.

Lindsay Swearingen was introduced to needle and thread at 8 years old, when her mother taught her how to cross-stitch. She was young and didn’t stick with it, but “about eight years ago, I picked it back up around when there was a resurgence of embroidery and fiber art,” she says. 

Many organizations and artists around the Capital Region, including dancers, musicians and comedians, are getting creative with technology to continue sharing their work.

Mentored by Ricardo Favela of the Royal Chicano Air Force artist collective, Manuel Fernando Rios describes his artwork as “neo-Expressionist, neo-Chicano, mixed in with pop culture.” His solo show scheduled for May has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but he is continuing to make new work.

Until recently, Giggle & Riot was providing photo booths for up to 400 events a year. When events were canceled under California’s shelter-in-place order, owners Caroline Winata and Josh Daniels responded with new services. 

As county and state orders compelled most people to remain at home, the Sacramento art world took a huge hit. However, creativity has continued to flourish in quarantine.