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How to Bring Art Into Your Life
By Tracey Ferdinand
Have you been to a jazz concert lately? What about a poetry reading or a musical? Can you remember the last time you indulged in an old hobby or created something artistically? It is easy to get caught up in the every day hustle and bustle of a nine-to-five job. We often forget that there is a rich art world unfolding right in our city waiting to be discovered. Art helps us see the world in fresh new ways. Feed your spirit by getting involved. You do not have to be an expert or earn a PhD in art or philosophy to reap the benefits of paying attention.
Here are four ways of incorporating art into your life:
Enjoy the artwork at your local museum. Become a proud member by donating money or volunteering your time. Most museums offer perks to members such as discounted tickets to special exhibits or partnership deals with nearby restaurants. Members also receive monthly newsletters which are a great source of information about upcoming exhibits or interviews with new or seasoned artists. Make an effort to see at least one exhibit per month.
Sign up for an art appreciation class at a community college. Let us face it, if you never took an art class or did not grow up with a parent who was an art connoisseur, art can be intimidating. You are standing there observing a painting and trying to figure out exactly what is going on. In order to really appreciate the direction an artist took, you have to understand what was going on during the time the piece was produced and many other factors. Taking a class can help. Listening to a lecture on different movements, discussing pieces with other students and reading about an artist’s life can help hone your skills. So the next time you find yourself at a Cézanne exhibit, you can fully appreciate his work.
Support local artists and small community theatres. Attend shows produced by the college or university in your area. Students work hard all semester to perfect their craft. Visit the school’s website to find out about upcoming music concerts, dance shows or theatre productions. Try to find theatres in your community and sign up for their mailing list so you can get information on upcoming seasons. Attend a show or two and realize that you do not always have to go to New York to enjoy a good theatrical production.
Pick up an old hobby or start a new one. Did you play the guitar in high school but stopped playing once you got to college? Why not indulge the artist in you by picking up right where you left off? The best way to incorporate art into your life would be actively doing something you once enjoyed. Find that old book of poems you wrote and keep writing. If you have never been inclined to pick up a pen or guitar pick when you were younger try something new now. It does not matter how old you are as long as the desire to work on your craft is there.
Art does not have to be a luxury. You can perform little tasks that help bring art into your everyday life. So slow down and enjoy being human. Take time out of your hectic schedule to consider a photograph, a poem, a painting.
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