Art and the Community

Art has been an integral part of human culture forever, serving as a medium for expression, communication and connection. In todays digital world you might be wondering why we even create

art?  There are numerous ways to create art, combined with practical ways to integrate art into everyday life and get others involved.

Art provides a unique platform for individuals to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Whether through painting, sculpture, or performance, art allows creators to communicate

with others. Even if you don’t like the art in question, there is likely to be a debate about who doesn’t like the art, and who does and why.

Community art lessons and groups bring a group of likeminded people together, to create learning and artistic expression, social interaction and can invoke a sense of wellbeing and combat loneliness. Try having or coming along to a paint and prosecco evening and meet new friends with a likeminded hobby. It can serve as a catalyst for conversation and collaboration among diverse groups, especially of there is cake involved as at my art group. If people are not talking about the art they are creating, they are talking about the cake.

Downham Art Circle Art Exhibition at the Methodist Church.

 Community art exhibitions offer a valuable opportunity for artists to share their work locally. These events foster a sense of connection and belonging within the community. Collaborating with local galleries or community centres to host exhibitions can boost local economy. My art circle have twice yearly art exhibitions in the local Methodist Church. It’s a community hub for lots of different groups and we exhibit over 100 paintings each time. The feedback is always good and we sell a fair few pictures too. It’s always lovely to contribute to a community space and bring people in.

By expressing ourselves through art, supporting local small businesses by using shared local spaces, buying our art supplies from smaller local businesses and engaging with our communities, we contribute to a more vibrant, colourful and connected world.