The signature of civilizations.
Art is the signature of civilizations, the heart of our humanity, the power of bringing people together, and the joy of finding the childlike wonderment in all of us. To participate in the arts, of any sort, is a guaranteed way to produce magic right here on earth. This past weekend I experienced this firsthand in our little corner of the world at the Red River Arts Festival. From drum circles to 90s alternative, to a little Willie, Waylon, and the boys, the music flowed from the garden at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham, Texas. Each musician set the mood of the hour, as they each took their turns on stage and played for the crowds. In unison with the music, numerous artists demonstrated various talents from painting, to sewing, to garden charms, candle making and more. The artisans present elevated spirits by creating top notch food and beverages, providing sweet and salty treats in one hand and a drink in the other. Colorful creations completed the scene with backdrops of bright ornate murals, paintings and decor on every wall, and around every turn. The optical visions were a sight to behold. Quite literally all five senses were allowed to be carefree, joyful, and satisfied all at the same time. 🎶🎨🍷🎭☀️🍇
This description is characteristic to so many cities, small towns, and rural communities across America and the world. Local artists of all kinds come together not just to showcase their talents in hope of a little pocket change, but to share in the human experience. To laugh, and sing, and dance, and paint, and eat, drink, and be merry. 🥳
Do you think human creativity matters?? Does it really?? What’s the point of this thing called the “arts”? Isn’t it just a side hustle? A pastime? A hobby? You may not even contemplate poetry or theatre, until your parent dies or until you lose a child. Or someone completely rips your heart out of your chest, and they don’t love you anymore, and all of the sudden you’re wondering if anyone, anywhere, in this wretched world has ever felt as low as you do right now. Will this blanket ever be lifted so you can breathe again? 💔
OR the opposite happens, and you meet someone, and your stomach completely fills with butterflies, and your heart is about to explode out of your chest because you just can’t seem to get enough of this person! You want to dance and skip and sing! What’s this giddy feeling??! Why am I acting so silly all of the sudden? Your child is born and a love that surpasses all understanding generates in your soul, and you can’t even find the right words to describe how you can love a 6 pound 14 ounce little boy so much, it HURTS! 💙
Or you look to the sky, and you see the purple, coral, and orange sunrays swirl across the horizon and the majestic beauty is so overwhelming that you MUST try to capture it on canvas. And those same colors start to pop from the ground, and you’re surrounded by a rainbow of flowers on the sides of the highways and byways and out your backdoor! 🌻🌼🪻🌺
Creativity can seem like just a warm fuzzy feeling until all of the sudden it’s absolutely crucial to EXPRESS yourself to the point where you need human connection and the comfort of knowing that you aren’t alone. When this relatedness happens, healing happens. And we come out of our dark corners all hunched over with hair covering our faces and we open up a little more each time. This is when the arts is more than a side gig. This is when the arts are vital to our well-being and mental health. It’s nourishment, support, livelihood, and sustainability to our soul. To the very thing that connects us as humans. The arts is the signature on the heart of history, the joy in the present, and the anticipation of the future. ✨
As I’ve referenced numerous times before in my writings, “In the beginning, God created…” Genesis 1:1. If even The Almighty longs for connection through creativity, then it only makes sense that we should as well. 🌍☄️💫🪐
Trust the process. We are all becoming. ✌🏻💖🎨🕊️🕊️🕊️
