| There is so much going on in the world today. | | | | an issue, art helps us express it in images, icons and |
| President Bush is moving things around in Washington. | | | | symbols. We can still get all the pent up emotion out |
| The controversy over Saddam Hussein. The | | | | of our system. And we can look at it. Reflect on it. |
| explosion of youtube! 2007 has started off with a | | | | Discover ourselves. |
| bang. Do you know how this impacts your art | | | | So, where does your art workshop center come into |
| workshop center? | | | | this scenario? Don’t you see?! You are providing |
| If you are interested in running an art workshop | | | | a place for people to go and be productive. They |
| center, now is the time to start getting on it. Art is | | | | need guidance and you are giving it to them. Even if |
| becoming the great escape for many, not just the | | | | you are not an artist, it’s not hard to learn how |
| artists of this world. Art is also being recognized as | | | | to run an art workshop center. I teach people all the |
| the solution to the education gap caused by the | | | | time. My students have picked up on my system so |
| schools working toward cutting art from their | | | | quick and now have gone on to run their own |
| curriculum. The benefits of art are endless. But, one | | | | workshops. |
| major function art has in our lives is it helps us cope | | | | Be ready for anything. Read the paper in the morning |
| with the issues in the world around us. | | | | and have topics to discuss. As your students come |
| You might wake up in the morning and turn on the | | | | rolling in, don’t be afraid to bring certain things up |
| television as you work your way toward your first | | | | to their attention. It’s not a discussion session |
| cup of coffee. As you listen for only a few minutes, | | | | mind you. But, what you are doing is reminding them |
| you hear about a person getting shot, a child getting | | | | about these issues that are on their minds. What is |
| kidnapped, more people dead in Iraq. And before you | | | | the result? On each canvas, at the end of the day, is |
| even take your first sip of coffee, you are ready to | | | | the resolve your students needed. Hug yourself! You |
| turn the television off again. What can you do with all | | | | deserve it. |
| that pent up emotion? | | | | The world does not look as if it is going to get |
| Finding a punching bag to bully around is certainly one | | | | better any time soon. Your art workshop is their |
| answer. Pouring yourself into your work, even on | | | | therapy. And they will love you for it when they |
| your day off is another. But, sometimes our releases | | | | realize how much money you are saving them on |
| are more counterproductive than resourceful. Art | | | | therapy. Understand the concept! What is going on |
| doesn’t have any negatives. It is the mirror | | | | this world does directly impact your workshop center. |
| within us by which we understand ourselves better. | | | | There is not an area of our lives and our world that |
| Even when we don’t know what to say about | | | | art doesn’t touch. |