The Arts

I'm lucky to live in a small town that has a great art community. There is a small college that cultivates creativity and it spills over into the general population.
Every month the town hosts the First Friday Art Walk, in which the dance studios, art galleries,restaurants, book stores and theaters open their doors and invite people in to enjoy the world of art.

We can experience art on various levels, as viewers or participants through our own personal expression. Art can be pleasing to the eye, such as a picturesque landscape or beautiful portraits, or it can be critical or provocative, such as the works of the avant-garde. Art can record history, memorialize a person or event, celebrate life, or evoke thoughts or feelings.

Exploring art helps us to understand our cultural and historical backgrounds as well as those of others. Surrounding ourselves with art that we truly enjoy can be very uplifting as well as an expression of who we are. On an even more personal level, art offers us the opportunity to imagine, communicate, and explore our own personalities and beliefs through our own creations.

How do you incorporate art into your own life? Are you drawn to certain periods of art or to particular artists? Or maybe you like to express yourself through painting, drawing, or sculpture. If you do make a point to appreciate art in your life, I congratulate you. And if you don't, I hope that my thoughts will encourage you to open yourself up to the wonders and benefits of artistic creation.