The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) shared one student’s COVID-19 mission, noting that she was able to use a challenging time for good.

Anna Orletski realized the onset of the coronavirus pandemic meant that she had a lot of free time. She and her partner, Sidd Finch, decided to use their time to make a book that documented the response of artists and creatives in the wake of coronavirus, entitled “Change of Plans.”

Orletski is currently a grad student in UDM’s Addiction Counseling program.

“Initially when COVID hit, my partner and I were at a loss of what to do with ourselves,” Orletski said in a release issued on the university's website. “We're both creative people; my partner is a professional photographer and I'm focusing on using art therapy in practice. So, we decided just to cope with the pandemic the best way we knew how and that was to create."

Orletski began to practice painting, illustrating and printmaking; and Finch started taking pictures around the area.

“After a couple of weeks, I had filled an entire notebook with illustrations and doodles," Orletski said in the release. "We hadn't planned to do anything with the photos and illustrations we created; but once we realized how many artists in Detroit were feeling similarly lost, we were determined to make some meaning out of this time. That's when we decided to create the photo/coloring book. We wanted to create a tribute to the shared experiences of our peers as well as emphasize the necessity of creating for self-care.”

Orletski’s illustrations are featured alongside Finch's photography, in addition to the artwork of more than 80 other creative individuals.

Orletski is thrilled that the public’s reception of the book has been so positive. She also voiced her gratitude of the fact that her university experience has been an edifying one at UDM.

“I love the people I've met here," she said. "They are some of my closest friends.”

Orletski plans to start her internship at Harbor Oaks Psychiatric Hospital in September.