Let Art In

Dear Everyone,

I believe in art. I believe in its power to bring out the best in people.  It can also help them deal with the worst in life. I know this from my own experience and from watching people of various ages, ethnicity, gender, etc. make art, talk about art, look at art, and buy art.  I am not the best at explaining what it is about art that makes it special, it’s just something I know to be true.

I know there are skeptics out there who think that art is fluffy and just a bunch of phooey.

I was asked by a friend once, referring to art, “What’s its function, what purpose does it serve for society?” He seemed to be interested in an A + B = C kind of answer. You put bread in a toaster, turn it on, then you have toast, and then you eat the toast. The bread and toaster each have a clear purpose.

Here’s what I told my friend.

Art is a tool.  You use it to communicate ideas and thoughts to yourself and others. You use it to make your house look nice.  You use it to start up a conversation. You use it to make a bare wall colorful. So on and so forth.

I don’t expect everyone to be as passionate about art as I am.  I just want them to believe in art.  I want them to give art the respect it deserves and not let it be pushed to the sidelines of our lives.

There are a good number of folks out there who are afraid of art.  Their fear keeps them from experiencing the benefits art provides. I can’t put my finger on it, but something in our way of life discourages art making after a certain age. And it also puts art way down on the list of necessities for our society.

I formed Art is Moving with Lisa because I want to show people that art is not just about how well you can draw or paint or compose a photograph.  It is about conversation, connection, release, therapy and so much more.  It’s this thing that can do so much for you if you just open up and let it in.

Let art in.

Sincerely,
Lauren