A trio of Orange County artists have created posters featuring Princess Leia, Darth Vader and other cultural icons aimed at encouraging the public to wear face masks.

The #MaskUpOCNC public health campaign features the poster series and corresponding social media campaign will encourage residents to “mask up” in compliance with state and county mandates surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The posters were designed by local artists Mike Benson, Marcela Slade, and Bob Goldstein.

“We know that wearing a face covering decreases the spread of the virus by trapping airborne particles,  protecting yourself and others from contamination,” said Penny Rich, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “By wearing a mask, you do your individual part to help protect the whole population. You wear a mask to protect others, and they wear a mask to protect you. Mask up, Orange County!”

Starting this week, residents are encouraged to share photos of themselves on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter wearing their face coverings and using the hashtag #MaskUpOCNC.

One participant will be selected each week of the campaign to receive a $25 gift certificate to a local area business. Winners will be announced on Fridays.

The project is a partnership of communicators across Orange County and is led by the Orange County Arts Commission, with communicators from the Arts Commission, Orange County Health Department, Orange County Public Library, Orange County Office of Community Relations and the Town of Hillsborough on the committee.

To view each work in the series, visit www.artsorange.org/maskup.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Not Hosting COVID-19 Testing on Election Day
The Orange County Health Department will not host its daily COVID-19 testing event on Election Day. The county has begun its free daily testing event — held Monday through Friday at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, no testing will be available on Tuesday during Election Day. WEEKDAY TESTING […]
Orange County Health Department to Offer Free Daily COVID-19 Tests
Beginning next week, the Orange County Health Department will offer free COVID-19 tests to all residents who need one. Tests will be available at the Whitted Human Services Building (300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day beginning on Monday, October 26. The only day when tests will not be […]
Orange County Hosting Weekly COVID-19 Testing Event in Chapel Hill
The Orange County Health Department has announced a weekly COVID-19 testing event that will take place every Wednesday in Chapel Hill. The testing event will take place every Wednesday for the foreseeable future from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the R-7 parking lot at 725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Chapel Hill. Anyone […]
Orange County Recommends UNC Begin Fall Semester Virtually, Restrict On-Campus Housing
The Orange County Health Department is recommending that UNC consider begin the fall 2020 semester with virtual classes and restrict on-campus housing to at-risk students with housing needs. Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said in a July 29 letter to campus leadership that she “received a massive amount of emails from community members, UNC […]
Orange County Sees Large Increase in COVID-19 Cases Heading Into Fourth of July Weekend
Like the rest of North Carolina, Orange County continues to see an increase in its positive COVID-19 cases heading into the Fourth of July weekend. According to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the county recorded 30 new cases on Friday. This brings the total within Orange County to 745 […]
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Mayors Recommend Face Coverings, but No Requirement
The City of Durham has been requiring residents to wear face coverings when out in public in an effort to fight COVID-19 since April. But it’s not likely the same legislation will be passed for the towns of Orange County for now. While all levels of government within Orange County have routinely recommended residents to […]
Orange County Animal Services Launches Pet Food Assistance Program
Orange County Animal Services announced a new way to help pet owners who may be struggles to make ends meet amid the coronavirus pandemic. The department shared on Thursday plans for its new Pet Food Assistance Program. According to a release from Animal Services, the program was created to assist county residents who have lost […]
Orange County Judge: Normal Court Proceedings Present Public Health Challenges
While the state prepares to enter Phase 1 on Friday, there are still many aspects of state government operating on reduced capacity. That includes North Carolina’s courts, which are determining when to begin full proceedings again. North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley pushed back most court proceedings until at least June 1, giving the court […]
Orange County to Follow NC's Phase 1 Guidelines, Ending County Stay-Home Order
Orange County will end its stay at home order on Friday, May 8, to allow residents to fully comply with state guidance as it enters Phase 1 of gradual reopening. The county shared a release on Wednesday acknowledging it will let the county order expire, but reminding residents they still fall under the statewide stay […]
Coronavirus Deaths Continue in Orange County Long-term Care Facilities; State Reports 28
The PruittHEALTH – Carolina Point and Signature HealthCARE nursing homes, two of the largest outbreak locations of COVID-19 in Orange County, continue to see more deaths from the virus. Updated coronavirus case counts from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services show the two congregate living facilities report 165 total cases among residents […]
›