<p>Welcome to Season 3, Episode 13 of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast! In this episode, I got to connect with Heather Schulte. Heather is the powerhouse behind <a href="https://www.stitchingthesituation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stitching the Situation</a>. From her website: "<em>Stitching the Situation</em> is a continuation of artist <a href="https://www.stitchingthesituation.org/en/heather" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heather Schulte</a>’s textile work, <a href="https://www.heatherdschulte.com/situation-report-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Situation Report</em></a>, a daily cross-stitch documentation of the coronavirus case and death counts in the U.S. from Jan 20-June 25. The <em>Situation Report </em>panels began as the artist’s way to record cases in the US, and translate them visually with stitch. "</p><p>We discuss a unique art exhibition called "<a href="https://www.stitchingthesituation.org/en/it-comes-in-waves" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">It Comes in Waves</a>," centered around the impacts of COVID-19. Set in <a href="https://www.thepeoplesbuilding.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The People's Building</a>, an art gallery located on the east side of Aurora, Colorado, Heather took me on a tour of the displayed art pieces, which include drawings, dye sublimation prints, and masks. The exhibition, organized by Heather, features a mix of personal stories and collective experiences related to living with Long Covid. Special attention is given to the ‘Stitching the Situation’ project, which involves community participation in cross-stitching data and personal stories onto cloth. The discussion also highlights the incorporation of art from incarcerated individuals, collaborations with other artists, and the logistical challenges of managing such a significant project. I'm absolutely thrilled that this podcast is included in the exhibit. I called my portion "A Life Redacted," and it is made up of excerpts of episodes with words redacted from the transcripts. It Comes in Waves illustrates the power of art in documenting and processing collective trauma. Heather, you are amazing, thank you for all the work you do!</p><p>You can find Heather on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stitchingthesituation/ and https://www.instagram.com/heatherdschulte/</p><p>Press for It Comes in Waves includes</p><p><a href="https://visitdenver.com/event/it-comes-in-waves%3A-living-with-long-covid-in-colorado/133065/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">This feature from Visit Denver</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dariamag.com/home/it-comes-in-waves" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A review from DARIA Art Magazine</a></p><p><a href="https://coloradosun.com/2025/11/13/stitchiing-the-situation-art-exhibition-aurora-peoples-building/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One woman’s method for coping with COVID turned into a 5-year art project, now on display in Aurora</a></p><p><a href="https://www.westword.com/arts-culture/denver-art-show-it-comes-in-waves-brings-long-covid-stories-to-light-40800730/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Art Show&nbsp;<em>It Comes in Waves</em>&nbsp;Brings Long COVID Stories to Light</a></p><p>From Denver Westword: Running through December 30,&nbsp;<em>It Comes in Wave</em>s invites viewers to consider what happens when a crisis slips from public view but its consequences remain. Supported by an INSITE Fund grant from RedLine Contemporary Art Center, the project builds on artist Schulte’s ongoing initiative Stitching the Situation, a national effort to document the human toll of COVID-19 through collective textile work.&nbsp;</p>