Let’s Talk About Art — Did You Know? -Nov 2015

The question, “Is art necessary?” Art is important in any society. Art shows us what people are thinking and feeling which is important and valid. Art is a way for us to express our vision through many different and unique ways. No matter who you are, or what part of the world you are in, art has a way of lifting our spirits, and making us feel good.  We can be directly impacted by its power and emotion. One piece of art can affect so many people in so many different ways. Art is an outlet for communication, not only with words.  With art there are really no rules. You may smile, laugh, cry, and you may love it or hate it. It all comes down to perception, and with art you can feel what you want. Art can connect us in a way that nothing else can. Art expresses opinions and ideas that might not otherwise be able to be expressed. Art belongs to all of us as an expression of our innate human drive to find and make meaning. The place for art in our lives, our economy, city, homes, buildings, malls, streets, and businesses are seen as the highest achievements of human experience and are vital to economic development in society. Art can be a great influence and inspiration for us.  Since the beginning of human existence people have used their surroundings as a canvas for expressing themselves. Art has been in existence for centuries even before the written language was developed and it has changed a lot. Begin now to think more about how you experience art in the different forms you experience in your daily life. Basically the creation of art shapes is what keeps our world alive.
Jaylene Armstrong is a retired Art Teacher from Madison, Wisconsin, a former National Art Education Association Western Region Vice President and President of Wisconsin Art Education Association.  For more information contact Jaylene at 661-255-3050.