February 25, 2021
Hello Friends!
It has been a little while since I visited the Blog…is it too late to say Happy New Year? :) Ah, these days time does seem to get away from us! After the year we have all been through, a year where we have all been in “crisis mode” to some degree, now more than ever it is so important to try to slow down a little and take care of ourselves. And speaking of… I was reading an article recently in the New York Times that talked about “the arts in crisis” (along with everything else, I might add). The author asked, “What is art’s function? What does art do for a person, a country?”
In this period of such uncertainty and fear—in the midst of a dangerous pandemic, a struggling economy, and the strive for racial equality, among other things—it does not seem like art holds the answer to any of these problems. But I argue that it does. The author provides this answer:
“Scholars, economists, revolutionaries keep debating, but one very good answer has held now for 2,500 years. The function of art, Aristotle told us, is catharsis. You go to the theater, you listen to a symphony, you look at a painting, you watch a ballet. You laugh, you cry. You feel pity, fear. You see in others’ lives a reflection of your own. And the catharsis comes: a cleansing, a clarity, a feeling of relief and understanding that you carry with you out of the theater or the concert hall. Art, music, drama — here is a point worth recalling in a pandemic — are instruments of psychic and social health.”
May I repeat that…Art, music, drama…are instruments of psychic and social health.
While our basic needs must be addressed—food, shelter, jobs, school—if there are free moments during the day, I implore you to turn to the arts for a bit of mental healing.
Listen to your favorite song—stop and close your eyes and hum it to yourself or, better yet, get up and dance to it!
Encourage your kids to put the screens down and act out what they just saw on the screens—what would be the next part of the story?
Draw, paint, doodle, color, sculpt, sing, dance, write, knit, sew—pick your creative outlet! The point is, try to find that catharsis to let your mind and body free itself from all the woes of the day, if only for a minute or two.
This is one of the reasons I started Studio ACE, because I fervently believe in the power of the arts to heal. I also believe in the power of art to entertain, to express, to emote, and to allow creativity to flow freely. Creativity reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and isolation—all things which are not in short supply these days. I encourage you to find your catharsis through the arts. I know it can help. It may not solve all our problems, but it will most certainly help!
At Studio ACE, we have some great classes for kids, teens, and adults, and there are so many other great arts resources available to help. If WE can help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us. After all, our mission at Studio ACE is to enrich lives through Arts, Community, and Education.
Please feel free to email me at any time at julia@studioace.org. And remember that all of us at Studio ACE are always here for YOU!
As always, stay safe, stay healthy, stay creative, and stay kind!
Warmly,
Julia Fister
Executive Director
* The Arts are in Crisis, by Jason Farago, New York Times, Published Jan. 13, 2021, Updated Jan. 15, 2021
Image Credit: Benjavisa Ruangvaree Art
