The Graphic Medicine UnConvention was, hands down, one of the best conferences I have ever attended!”
As I reflect on the three days of programming, I wonder about the alchemy that created the experience. Was it the
inclusivity of participation—105 one-minute videos
breadth of content—with topics ranging from Alzheimers, mental health, transgenerational trauma, sensitivity readers, vaccine hesitancy, chronic illness, COVID, and more. And our delight to contribute as VEOLI members about the topics of long term care (Susan Macleod), changing the narrative about death (Stephanie Steigerwaldt and Julie Swanson), and end of life iconography (my video)
well-planned design—10 -12 minutes of videos, followed by creators of the videos responding to a few prompts or questions from the session host and then questions from the attendees, until 45 minutes past the hour and time for a break before diving in again
being all together all the time (no simultaneous sessions) that enabled us to get to know each other a bit and have richer conversations through chat
learning about new resources—books, comics, conferences, videos, podcasts and more—and folks interested in collaboration
opportunity to meet people from around the world in fields so different than our own
thoughtfulness—awareness of the challenge of bearing witness to this work and providing resources for self-care?
We, VEOLI members who were able to attend the event, felt inspired and grateful to have stepped into the experience and the community!
What’s next? We are sharing our ideas, moving forward both individually and collectively as members of VEOLI. Here are impressions from a few of us that attended.
“I got the biggest CHARGE out of the UnConvention. I couldn’t believe I was seeing people with values and goals so closely aligned with VEOLI use visuals in such an accessible and fun, entertaining way to communicate. Even (or especially) when they are tackling very serious health issues. I have been moved to experiment with zines, comics, and even animation, and this was under two weeks ago!” Alison Kent
“The Graphic Medicine community is very welcoming. I’ve already connected with a few people I heard present and am looking forward to collaborations the future may bring. I encourage everyone to interested in end of life issues to connect with Graphic Medicine. https://www.graphicmedicine.org/"Susan MacLeod
“What an amazing group of creative people...both with the projects they are bringing into the world and with the ways they gather with each other. I was both deeply moved and jazzed with inspiration!”Julie Swanson
“I (still) feel like a kid in a candy shop! I’m close to overwhelmed when I look at my list of resources to dive into—to read, view, listen to, and think about.. and then there’s connecting with folks from around the world, not to mention the incredible diversity of fields, approaches, styles, the ways in which we might collaborate—it’s super exciting!” Jill Greenbaum
The 2022 Graphic Medicine conference, is planned as a hybrid event for mid-late June in Chicago. I can’t wait!
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