Promoting the Arts...

Thought and Poem – April 30, 2015

It is very comforting for me to see that much emphasis has been placed on the “arts” lately. I saw a couple of signs around town today advertising a few art festivals that will be going on locally during the coming weeks.

Art, whether as a painting, music, writing or some other form of creativity, has a way of opening the windows of an artist’s heart and lets you get a peek of the emotions being set free so that others may share in some way what the artist is feeling.

Human emotions displayed through a stroke of a pencil or paintbrush, through the notes of an instrument, through the lens of a camera, or through the words written have long acted like falling dominoes, one after another, but in a way that all feel the or can imagine what the artist is wanting to say.

Over the years, and because of budget cuts, programs promoting the “arts” in our school systems have felt the loss when it has been removed these and not have made them available to our young students. The school years are a time where children feel out who they are, who they want to be and what they want their future to look like. Without the “arts” available to them, we have denied them the opportunity to explore how creativity can comfort, encourage strengths, and help one to endure despite what they may face each day of their lives. The “arts” often become silent friends until they are shared so that others can know their true feelings. There is a great personal satisfaction when we are able to help someone see life as we lived it…through the “arts.”

As a writer, I know this personal satisfaction and can say that I have felt the support of the “arts” throughout my whole life…so far. I wrote poems in high school, learned to play a couple of instruments, written and recorded my own music and then continued to dream of taking my emotions even further by writing them down in on paper which later became a fictional novel for others to read. I don’t know how my life would have been different if I had not had these outlets and if I had not had the courage to share what I have learned in life…through art…with others so that they too could see the benefits gained from the different “arts.”

I am hoping that all, whether young or old will take the time to support the local artists in their area and avail themselves to the opportunity to see life through the works of another as they are displayed during such festivals. Also, seeing such work can only add to the reasons to keep the “arts” available in our schools and for all.

What about you? Have you benefited from the works displayed by “silent friends” and have their works help you to grow? Share your thoughts with us…Jeanne Claire Probst

Promoting the Arts…

I saw a picture as I had never seen a picture before

I have listened to different types of music that I normally would ignore…

I have read a poem that opened my heart’s eyes

I have read a book and walked the journey of a character’s life.

Seeing another’s painting or picture inspired see beyond the colors

Learning an instrument allowed me to feel the sounds that are heard…

Writing poetry set the emotions overflowing in my heart free

And writing a novel, gave me the courage that allowed me to explore more of life’s possibilities.

Never do we want the arts to fade away

We want all to have the opportunity always…

To be able to express creativity

Whether expressed in a painting, a picture, in musical notes…or in writing.

Jeanne Claire Probst

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