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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.

• New artists can display work 
• Local businesses become venues for displaying local art
• Youth are mentored and encouraged to development art
• 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.

See Also

• Logo Pogo
  a look at logos by Outhouse Studios
• Artistas Unidos - Artists United
  Non-profit community arts - mentoring youth in Salinas

Building on positives, Creating from strengths

Years ago, when I taught tennis and played it competitively; I had the privilege of hearing one of the most well known instructors of the time and perhaps still, Dennis Van Der Meer. One of the stories he told has stuck with me to this day. He relayed the story of a tennis student who repeatedly pounded his serve into the fence on the other side of the court. When asked what he was doing, he replied that he was "learning from his mistakes".

It is not hard to figure out that what he was really doing was reinforcing his mistakes. Furthermore, all he could learn from a mistake was what not to do. A mistake can tell you that is a path not to try any more (at least if circumstances remain the same), but it will never tell you what path to take unless there is only one path left. And sometimes things which did not work in the past will work.

More importantly, it is the success we should build upon. As an instructor of anyone: self, children, pets - the positive experiences are what we try to repeat.  A more current quote of the Van Der Meer technique says:  "The idea is to create confidence by building on successes and thus minimize the frustration of learning a difficult sport."

Frankly, having just completed a basic training course for my dog - it seems to me, it all works the same way. Getting caught up in the negative only reinforces it, but praising what is good is miraculous. Furthermore, note the parallel in business about focusing on the right things. In the Hotel News Resource, in an article about the best general manager, it says:  "The 80/20 rule is amazing in its myriad of applications; 20 percent of everything you do will result in 80 percent of your successes. Finding the right 20 percent takes focus." And note this heading which follows:  "The Best Hotel General Manager I ever met looks for small successes."

So in terms of one’s creativity, finding what works is worth building upon - not to get stuck in a rut, but as I said to build upon. If all one looks at is what not to do, one will do nothing. Creating is about not being afraid to make mistakes.  Focusing on what went right versus what went wrong will not just make one grow faster, but make the path much more enjoyable as well.

See Also

• The Caledonian-Record - Course Helps Inmates Make Smart Choices
  The focus on what’s good not bad and setting proper goals
• Hotel News Resource - The Best Hotel General Manager I Ever Met - How Do You Measure Up?
  Qualities of a good manager and his focus