Anna Babcock, an art and psychology major at UT, got the opportunity to show a two-day art exhibit, titled “My Ecdysis,” at Gallery 1010 in downtown Knoxville on Oct. 10 and 11.

“I felt like I had created the space I had wanted to create,” Babcock said.

The artworks, which consisted of 6 paintings and a sculpture, worked through her emotions as she went through the process of recovering from the 2nd and 3rd degree burns she suffered in May 2024.

“(Gallery 1010) wants you to be there the entire time your show’s showing,” Babcock said. “It’s unique in the fact that it’s only two days, but everyone who goes to your show will get the chance to talk to you if they want to.”

Having the artist there is not a common thing for most galleries, where oftentimes they’ll be there for the opening ceremony or special events but not during regular viewing hours. For Babcock to be present the entire time, a deeper connection could be formed between the artist, the art and the viewers.

“I felt very comfortable there, so as people came in, people I knew and people I didn’t know, it felt like I was able to welcome them in my space and into my story and then they can then engage with it how they (wanted) at whatever depth they’d want to,” Babcock said.

The purpose of the showing not only shared her story with her community, but also created an environment where they could share their stories with her.

“Setting up, we really wanted to think about how people will move through the space, where people will accumulate, so (to) offer space for interaction as well as be able to view it solo,” Babcock said.

Babcock has always been one who loves to create and foster spaces for connections — for things to be welcoming and inviting for people to gather and form relationships. It’s important for her that the gallery space feels safe and engaging for everyone who comes to see it.

“I appreciated how loud all the conversations got and how a gallery can become what I had loved growing up,” Babcock said.

Babcock — with the help of her family, friends and loved ones — turned a set of white walls into a colorful landscape, both physically and literally, of artwork, laughter and conversation. The vulnerability shown by Babcock in sharing her paintings — her way of processing all of her feelings, good and bad — helped those around her in feeling comfortable to share their story as it relates to hers.

“My community was very affected and have its own story as it relates to mine, so I think having that space really created an environment where my friends and family, and community could, I guess, kind of express some of that,” Babcock said.

It’s less of an exchange and more of a newfound understanding and sense of comfort.

“I felt a lot of gratitude for the vulnerability my community shared with me in asking questions and the way they interacted with me at the gallery,” Babcock said.

These interactions filled the room with emotions and deep conversations.

“There was space for a lot of tears and laughing with friends and just appreciating the art in an objective sense as well,” Babcock said. “I talked a lot about ambivalent emotions like the pain and the joy of healing.”

The entire experience, from May 2024 till now, has been a multitude of emotions for everyone who has been involved and cares for Babcock.

“I feel like the really beautiful thing is to see a community surrounding someone where they’re going through a difficult time,” Babcock said. “And you really see the resilience in the community and how selfless, I guess, a community becomes, and getting to see it, a really deep form of love from them.”

This love flowed throughout the night. The way that everyone interacted with Babcock, whether that be by having a deep conversation or a long hug, made the night meaningful for her.

“It was really beautiful to get to hug so many people, my mom was talking about how difficult it was to not be able to hug me in the hospital,” Babcock said. “To be able to be in that space with people who have walked with me through that story felt really sacred.”

Her community supported her throughout it all, never once wavering in their love. Having them all gathered in one place is incredibly special for Babcock.

“It also brought me a lot of joy to be with all I love in one space,” Babcock said. “It felt like a celebration, I guess, and a good marker, I guess, in my journey with burns.”