The Lessons Art Can Teach Us

This week's blog post is written by Colleen Patricia Williams.

As an artist, I find that the creative process is one that is, as the old saying goes, 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.  This is a factor that many of those who buy art don’t realize; the time that it takes to create a piece of art as well as the time it takes to learn how to use the chosen medium.

Art is not just a talent, but a skill that must be exercised daily to maintain skills and to learn new skills, as well as mastering the nuances that are an inevitable part of any medium.  In my case, this means that I went to art school, and then I spent decades learning my art and my medium, in order to learn to bring my expressions to life. 

"Manifesting the Light Within"

Teaching other people that want to learn a medium is an excellent way to learn more ourselves, as art is a lifetime of learning.  In our gallery, many of us teach our hard-earned skills to other people, so they also can be part of a creative process.  

By taking a class, a person not only learns a new skill, but makes new connections in the brain that also assist in problem solving abilities.  The more art that a person does, whether adult or child, the richer the connections that are formed; these rich connections can assist in prevention of dementia, according to research studies. This makes sense; dementias often involve the loss of neurons, the more neurons a brain has, the more the buffer effect. 

"Solar Winds"

Taking classes also allows for social benefits; these benefits apply to both kids and adults.  Social networks enrich life for seniors, and homeschoolers can meet new friends in an intimate, yet safe environment that the parents can also attend.   

Artistic Portland artists have many different mediums and many different skills, from ceramics, to jewelry to mosaics both big and small, to visual, 2D artwork and wearable art represented in our gallery, and many of these talented people will be teaching classes at Artistic Portland throughout the year.  The classes that we offer can be signed up for by phone, mail or in person at the gallery, itself (Click here to what's currently being offered).

A weaving class is being taught by Sherry Bingaman on May 12th and 26th.

A Mother's Day Card Workshop is being held on May 1st, led by Michaela Houston.

A class can make an excellent gift or it can be a supplement to a homeschooling curriculum, as well as a unique family experience, as the entire family can take a class!  This creates a lasting memory that kids will treasure as they become adults as well as fostering art appreciation for later in life.  

So come to Artistic Portland, where we have classes now, and will have more in the future!