April 27th, 2006 by admin
representing creative, positive, community change
Art Start Logo
Salinas, California like lots of places is in need of a renaissance. The image of the city is tarnished by imbalanced reporting of gang violence.
I have recently had the opportunity of working with a group of high schools students - quite creative, quite personable, quite intelligent, and quite determined to rebrand themselves and Salinas.
This group has promoted and curated a city wide high school art show - which is being held at the communtiy college within the city - Hartnell College. They have over and over proved themselves dedicated to the community.
The term artstart is used by many - but it is quite representative of the programs being offered by local non-profit Artistas Unidos - Artists United.
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New artists can display work
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Local businesses become venues for displaying local art
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Youth are mentored and encouraged to development art
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New audiences are exposed to local art
As a vehicle for positive change, art has a great deal of power. The simple logo above is designed to represent this artistic, community movement.
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Relevant Tags:art start, artistic, arts program, community, community arts, creative, logo, positive, youth mentoring
September 26th, 2005 by admin
art unifies individuals, community - creates bridge
In the most basic way, art creates unity for the individual. By making the uniqueness of the individual so visible, it is by its nature a unifier.
Art can also create unity within a community. As a vehicle for different people to communicate with each other and also as a way of giving a community its unique setting. Art is recognized as a vehicle for bringing not only creative energy and vitality, but also an increase in business to the participating communities.
In a parallel quote found in the Playbill Arts, the new conductor for the St. Louis symphony says: "I tend not to think in terms of one mass of people that you unify, but rather as a field of play in which the inspiration might come from any group at any time, which then can be suddenly absorbed by the rest of the group." I see this view of the orchestra as being akin to the way different individuals, groups and cultures can communicate through art.
In the Herald-Dispatch, artist Chris Worth explains succinctly, "I want all perspectives in my work. I don’t do art in a bubble … My goal is to bridge the community, and art is a beautiful place to start". Notice that he sees the nature of art as being communicative and unifying.
Regardless of subject matter, art has the quality of creating unity. Art is a language which crosses cultures. It is a language which is accepting of alternatives by its very nature. This acceptance and ability to look at ourselves and others is what makes art one of the prime unifying forces.
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Relevant Tags:art, center, community, creative communication, multi cultural, unity
