The Importance of an Artistic Community

In high school, I spent as much time in the art room as I could. By my senior year, I had my schedule down to just two hours outside my creative haven: lunch and gym. The art teachers and I were all well acquainted, as I haunted the whole art wing. I would master the mediums before the rest of the class began to learn them, and sometimes I would help teach the other students who were falling behind. Although I never took a pottery class, I spent hours at the wheel, sculpting and glazing pots. I was wven trusted to help load the kiln.

I'm tempted to claim the best perk of the art room was the seemingly unlimited free supplies, but what I truly miss was the beauty of the collective. Random objects kept around for still life paintings, the never-ending rotation of new art projects in varying stages of completion, and the community of peers always ready to bounce ideas around and give support, criticism, and a fresh perspective on your project. In a room full of artists, it's hard not to be inspired. Between the constant barrage of fresh new ideas, the guidelines for projects assigned by the teacher, and, of course, the deadlines to hold you accountable, it's a version of a perfect atmosphere.

But of course, I would eventually graduate and leave behind the creative world I had grown so accustomed to. And with it, I had thought, much of my creative ability. Without the deadlines, most projects sat unfinished. Without the teachers, I had no idea what to create. And without the community, I was left uninspired. As the years passed, I found myself growing less and less inclined to create. I had no clue what I wanted to do or who I was as an artist, and eventually I stopped considering myself one at all. I had become a person who used to create, a washed-up has-been.

But because the art never truly leaves you, I found myself writing. Nothing significant, and not very often at all, but here and there, when I was struck by a notion. One day, I wrote lyrics, and they were actually pretty good. Good enough, I felt I should write the song. Now, I never took a music class, and I didn't even know how to play an instrument. But I had a ukulele buried in my closet. I taught myself how to play, and before I knew it, one song became ten, and I was playing at an open mic every week.

There, I met someone whom I had briefly crossed paths with a year prior. We reconnected, and they brought me back into the world of art, creation, and community. This one was even stronger, though, built from the ground up by people who truly want to make the world a better place. They embedded it with all of their passion and soul. Nobody was there because they had to be. We all wanted it. My love for art had been rekindled, and once again I found myself surrounded by inspirational people. Through the years, this community has changed and grown into something beautiful, a strong collective of artists with one goal- to create a space where anyone can come and collaborate, skills are shared, ideas are born and raised, and dreams come to fruition.

In a world where third places are rapidly being taken away from us, it's important to seek out spaces where you can meet with people and do things you love. All it takes is meeting the right person. Let fate take the wheel, you'll be led where you need to go, meet who you need to meet, and find your own community. Creativity is deeply rooted in human nature, and there are creative people all around you. I implore you to seek them out and find out what they have to offer, and in return, offer what you can. Start by going to the same place regularly. I went to a coffee shop, but you can find these people at libraries, at work, in craft stores, or in parks. But by God, find them, and build your own community of creative souls. I wish you the best of luck! Peace :)