The Influence of Art on Common People

The Influence of Art on Common People Art is a medium of self-expression; it can also be a challenge that intimidates people. Art can influence common people in many ways: â€Å"It could be a source of inspiration for people with hidden artistic skill; it could ignite the passion to create something of beauty; it could unblock fears and insecurities,† wrote author Molly Prather in her article, â€Å"How does art influence people? † Or it could easily be ignored. Dr. Margarita Cole, an art appreciation instructor at HCC, defines common people as those who are not exposed to art or those who are not familiar with visiting museums.This includes people who consider art alien. She talked about the influence of art on common people saying, â€Å"Some people ignore art or consider it weird. Others ask themselves what is this for? Many of them do not find answer. But for some people who find in art an answer, it is a discovery. † Sharon Hendry, a graphic designer, artist and HCC instructor, has another point of view: â€Å"Artists have two main objectives when they do art: One is to put something in a visual format to express a message; and second is that they use art as a medium of communication. Art can communicate without words,† she added.Common people are affected by art in different ways. Hendry said, â€Å"People react when they look at an artwork filtering their emotions through their personal experiences, their personal history. † â€Å"The way people are affected by art,† Dr. Cole said, â€Å"depends a lot on their upbringing — the amount of exposure to art that they have and what is their conception of beauty. † Art is a medium of communication and it can have a deep impact, or be very tenuous. â€Å"If we are open to art, we can take advantage of it; if we are closed to it, there is no way,† Dr. Cole commented. She added, â€Å"Deep (art’s communication) as you allow it to go.If you allo w yourself to feel the soul of the artist you are going deep. † Hendry made an example about communication â€Å"When you text a message in your cell phone, you are trying to communicate with somebody. The other person could receive or deny your message. If the person that you are trying to communicate with sends you a response, you are establishing communication. The only way that an artist knows if his artwork communicates a message is when he receives feedback,† she added. Some people are reluctant to engage with art maybe because they do not want to allow a communication with it.Dr. Cole talked about a case: â€Å"A student came to me after class and told me about a collage assignment; he was trying to work on it but it was very difficult to do and he could not finish it. Actually, he was not scared about the work otherwise; he was showing his insecurity to do the task. We can put people in front of a challenge and some will say: ‘Okay let’s do it. â⠂¬â„¢ Others will react the opposite way, refusing to do it when in fact, they are reacting to their fears. † â€Å"Art can serve as inspiration to awaken the imagination, talent and skill hiding in someone.It can unlock your fears and insecurities about creating,† Prather wrote. Hendry corroborated this, saying, â€Å"This is why art is important to me in my life. All those thing —inspires creativity, discovers hidden talent and unlocks fears and insecurities — have helped me and helped my students. † Anna Reyner, an art therapist, wrote the article â€Å"Art Influences Learning† in which she said, â€Å"Much has been written about how art enhances creativity, imagination, and self-esteem, but far less is said about how art encourages cognition, critical thinking, and learning. † She mentions the U.S. Secretary of Education report, â€Å"The Value Added Benefits of the Arts,† which states, â€Å"Studies have shown that arts te aching and learning can increase student’s cognitive and social development. The arts can be the link for students in developing the crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels. † In the same article Reyner wrote, â€Å"Our current education system places great emphasis on academic development. As a result, arts programs are being reduced or even eliminated from classrooms to accommodate more didactic teaching methods. Broadly speaking, are common people aware at the importance of art as a part of children’s education? Dr. Cole opined, â€Å"If they are not exposed to art, they are not going to be able to do anything. † Dr. Cole said, â€Å"My students have to go to museums as a part of the class requirements, but a lot of them are not interested and are reluctant to do the assignment. If you are not exposed to art, it is likely the next generation will not be exposed to art either. † â€Å"Politics is more advoca tes trying to make money,† Hendry commented. Consequently, art is not a priority in the line of their funding. † Art is present in everyday routines in many ways. Many people are aware of it while others are not; still others are indifferent. Promoting the benefits of art could be a difficult task. â€Å"To promote art,† Dr. Cole said, â€Å"we have to expose people to art, encourage them to visit museums, and also educate gallery personnel to bring friendly treatment. Some people go to museums and get out angry because of the bad treatment by the personnel.Educating gallery personnel is very important if you want to promote art. † â€Å"Parents have to encourage children to be involved in art,† Hendry commented, â€Å"but many times they are very busy or they do not know how beneficial art is on their children’s educational process. † â€Å"Children learn best when both sides of their brains are stimulated,† writer Kevin Crocket t said in the online article â€Å"How Art Influences Childhood-Development? † â€Å"This occurs when the learning environment is both participatory and interactive.The modern classroom does have a participatory side but it is sorely lacking in interactivity. Drawing and art is one of the best ways to bring interactivity into your child’s life. † â€Å"Art has to be included in the raising of child,† Dr. Cole stressed. â€Å"It is very important to encourage trips to museums, developing child interaction with artworks. † â€Å"Do not under estimate the importance of creativity, the ability to think abstractly (out of the box). The best thinkers, inventors, and entrepreneurs of our time have a healthy dose of right brain influence,† wrote Crockett.