(article from Next Avenue)
A package of colorful markers in a kitchen drawer, left behind from someone’s school project.
A stack of photos that would make a perfect collage, too meaningful to just tuck into an album.
The piano that is now only just a surface for picture frames and hasn’t made music for quite some time.
A surprise gift in the mail from a friend — a colorful embossed journal — with a note, featuring a Georgia O’Keeffe painting, that says “You seem like someone who could write a good story.”
A virtual tour of the Louvre, its wonders unfolding on your computer screen.
Every day, the potential for creating and appreciating art is all around us.
Since early 2020, we’ve all been challenged to see the beauty in daily life because daily life has changed considerably. It’s been a year of uncertainty, loss, isolation, sadness and fear.
But in the resilient spirit of creativity, new opportunities have come to light: beautiful Zoom musical performances by artists like Yo-Yo Ma, virtual art classes at places such as The Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco (SFMOMA), the eclectic variety of theatrical experiences from Lincoln Center in New York City and many more.
At Next Avenue, we believe in the power of art to bring joy, healing, creativity, purpose, friendship and a sense of accomplishment to life. Art can raise our spirits.
Perhaps finding the way toward art looks different at the present time; to find creativity, we all have to be creative as we search for classes and programs that will be right for us now.
“I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge – even wisdom. Like art.” – Toni Morrison, writer
Inspiration is out there. We want to help you discover it.
