The Power of Art in Remembrance: Northwest Arkansas’ COVID Hearts Project

About the Show:"The lives that were lost were beautiful lives. Yeah, I think it's easy to just think of them as a statistic. And I want to honor the beauty that we lost. For sure, we can do that through the beauty of art."       – Monica MooreIn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with artist Monica Moore to talk about the COVID Hearts Project—a powerful public memorial honoring the over 13,000 Arkansans lost to COVID-19. What started as Monica processing her own grief by cutting paper hearts has grown into something much bigger: a community-wide project that brings people together to remember, heal, and create.Monica walks us through her artistic journey and how she channeled her creative energy into making thousands of paper hearts from recycled materials like fashion magazines and old sheets. The project has become an open invitation for volunteers and communities across Northwest Arkansas and beyond to participate—turning collective loss into beauty and connection. Through partnerships with local schools, organizations, and nonprofits, the memorial keeps growing and giving people a space to reflect and share stories.Key Takeaways:The ProjectArt as Healing: Creative projects like the COVID Hearts Project help communities process grief and remember lives lostThe ProcessEveryday Materials: Monica uses recycled paper, magazines, and vintage sheets to create art that finds beauty in overlooked thingsThe PeopleHonoring Healthcare Workers: The memorial includes frames dedicated to frontline medical professionals and their storiesCommunity Involvement: Volunteers from across the region have helped make the memorial a grassroots movementThe ImpactResilience Through Connection: Art serves as a bridge for healing, encouraging people to face memories, share stories, and build hope for the futureBuilding Together: Trusting your imagination, asking for help, and working with the community are essential for making a cultural impactTune in to hear how art can help us process loss, why community matters when you're trying to make a difference, and how imagination can be a powerful tool for healing.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Website: The Hearts Project – www.theheartsproject.com Instagram: CovidHeartsProjectLinkedIn: CovidHeartsProjectExhibit Locations: Northwest Arkansas Community College (Shoemaker Center)Likewise Community & Coworking SpaceFort Smith Regional Art MuseumThe Medium in Springdale Special Thanks To: Lifestyles Inc., Moxy This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" FindItNWA.com Try ONBoardNWA.com Today! *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026