Creative boost
A project uses powerful visuals to inspire UF students to protect themselves against COVID-19
Alexandra Rodriguez sets up for a launch event at UF’s Springs Residential Complex next to Amy Lindroth’s “Flex the Vax.”
Jesse S. Jones
A project led by University of Florida Master of Public Health student Alexandra Rodriguez uses powerful visuals designed to inspire UF students to learn about vaccine safety and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities. The project, which features four temporary murals along with vaccine clinics and education, is made possible through the “Engaging the Arts to Build Vaccine Confidence on UF’s Campus” grants program, with funding for Rodriguez’s project provided by the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.
“What really excites me about this project is its anchoring within public health as both the murals and the evaluation plan were designed with the Theory of Planned Behavior in mind,” Rodriguez said. “Through both survey and focus group data, we hope to understand how these curated murals can affect the perceived social norms of COVID-19 vaccination on campus as well as how they can impact student discussion regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Rodriguez’s faculty advisers include Jill Sonke, Ph.D., research director of UF’s Center for Arts in Medicine, and George Hack, Ph.D., PHHP’s associate dean for educational affairs.
Artist Cristi Lopez puts the finishing touches on “Protect Each Other” at the Plaza of the Americas. “My main motivation as an artist is to use visuals as a bridge between the viewer and resources that can improve their lives; my personal work is oriented towards mental health awareness and education. In the case of this project, that resource is a vaccine that can save innumerable lives,” Lopez said.
Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez
Brittney Webber poses with her mural “Gator Aid.” QR codes on each mural provide links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 safety and efficacy webpage, a local vaccination website and a survey to collect outcome data.
Alexandra Rodriguez
At mural launch events, UF HealthStreet provided COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, as well as flu shots. Ashleigh Wright, M.D., a UF Health primary care physician, was on hand to answer questions about the vaccines.
Alexandra Rodriguez
Professional muralist Jenna Horner served as the project’s mural curator. “My involvement in this project is to mindfully curate a group of artists and thoughtful designs that use art as a tool for compassionate, safe and inclusive language,” she said.
Amy Lindroth
