Let’s Talk About Art — Did You Know?

 The L.A. Art Show at the convention center was really a “hot spot”. It was held the last week of January.  Did you go? Many people including a bevy of celebrities were there. Anne Hathaway hosted the opening night of the L.A. Show.  The exhibition features works by artists from 130 galleries and 20 countries including China, Australia, Turkey, Kenya and Japan. This was the 21st year of the L.A. Art Show and in 1995 there were only 14 galleries exhibiting art works.  This year there were over 60,000 visitors. People of many different backgrounds come to see the hundreds of kinds of art that are displayed at the L.A. Art Show.
Why are people drawn to make the trip to the convention center and spend hours of walking and walking to look at the two dimensional and three dimensional art forms? The visual arts foster harmony within ourselves and between one another. The visual arts can be a powerful instrument in bringing about understanding and appreciation among different cultures by creating opportunities for individuals to experience and learn about their own cultures, as well as others. Research in arts education shows a validation of one’s culture and beliefs, while providing a framework for better understanding the cultures and beliefs of others.  To understand art at any time involves taking time to see what makes the design work and how it is put together. Of course some works of art please us more than others. When you think about this, then you are considering the art’s design.  Design is the structure of art using the elements and principles to work together.  In the time you spent at the L.A. Art Show you would have seen art designs that relate to shape and form, space, line and texture.  We actually have visual art resources around us daily as design is in nature, the environment, your home, and living. Fine art galleries educate children, youth and adults. We can read about art of a certain time in books or online but it is so much more meaningful to see art and artifacts in person. Art galleries and large art shows like the L.A. Art Show contribute immensely to society, economically or through art appreciation, education and inspiration for others.
If you were not able to go to the L.A. Art Show this year… plan to go next year and take friends to enjoy a wonderful visual experience.
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.