As our mental health suffers during the pandemic, exercise is proving an essential tool for both physical and mental well-being. With a celebrity following and hundreds of thousands of fans, choreographer Ryan Heffington is raising spirits with Sweatfest, his lockdown dance-workout sessions.

Zoom dance classes, living room yoga, and hour-long walks have become common activities during COVID-19 lockdown. But how much are people really focusing on fitness? Canvas8 spoke to 16 people to find out how their attitudes towards exercise have changed as a result of the pandemic.

Tired of not seeing themselves depicted in the skate scene, The Skate Witches zine works to promote community and champion women, trans, and non-binary people within skateboarding. As people seek better representation in the mainstream, they’re taking advocacy into their own hands.

Once perceived as an anti-social pursuit, gaming now offers people a way to connect with peers around the world through streaming, forums, and social media. How do these diverse communities go beyond gameplay to support individuals in their search for escapism and creative expression?