Investment. As we began to brainstorm unique ways that we could tie in this month’s theme with our local communities in a way that would carry weight and provide connection, we began to look around at all the beautiful murals, sculptures, and art installations throughout our town. Loveland may have been branded as the sweetheart city, but it is known both nationally and internationally as an arts community.
From the sculpture invitational to the local galleries and the Loveland heart project, you can see the mark of the arts community and how they aim to enhance their surroundings in more ways than one all over town. What you can see visually only scratches the surface of the talent, passion, dedication, and drive that this community has. Their aim to help art be something more than just a decoration or thing to be admired however, is not always something that is given a large enough lens to be seen in the scope that it deserves. The simple truth that we sometimes miss but that the arts community witnesses daily is this: art heals.
However broad a statement that may be, there is a truth to it and scientific evidence to back that claim up. What art means to each individual will vary and be as unique and different to each of us because we are all complex and dynamic beings. No two of us will perceive any situation the exact same way, and in turn, no two of us will create or channel inspiration the same. Whatever art we choose to witness or produce, there is a therapeutic release that comes from letting go of the things inside of us, of making sense of the storms within. The things we don’t process or bury are the things that art helps us to channel. You get to take those emotions, those memories, and feelings and pour them into building something tangible and real.
This small act of creation can be used in multiple beneficial ways; to heal trauma, as a release, a way to sharpen your focus and to help you accomplish more, as well as a way to decrease stress. When we participate in creative activities, we use our brain and our hands together, engaging multiple lobes in our brains. This helps keep us mentally sharp and reduces the odds of developing mild cognitive impairments. When our hands are activated by physical touch, our body releases endorphins and serotonin (our pleasure chemicals) into our brains and the levels of our stress hormone, cortisol, decrease. Basically, being creative reduces stress and makes us happy.
Many Loveland artists located within the local creator spaces are dedicated to sharing that with others and focused on how they can invest back into their communities through art. From promoting local artists who inspire in their spaces to offering classes for others to find a slice of peace, they are committed to sharing and to bettering those around them. Just as iron sharpens iron, the arts community finds immense happiness in helping to motivate and support others to begin their own inspired artistic journeys.
Expressing who you are by building something tangible that you can witness and share with others impacts more than just your immediate circle. Using your gifts to serve and to invest in others is something this world desperately needs more of. When we are authentically ourselves, we invite others to be vulnerable, to share their truth, and do the same. This creates a ripple effect that makes a much larger impact than we can see and because of that, our arts community is a bigger part of the culture in our town in a much larger way than most of us see on the surface. They let art heal, they help heal others, and they share that with all of us in our daily surroundings, all we have to do is pay attention. Now if that isn’t an investment, we don’t know what is.
In Loveland, our arts community is a big part of the culture and town in a much larger way than most people see on the surface.
The simple truth that we sometimes miss but that the arts community witnesses daily is this: art heals. However broad a statement that may be, there is a truth to it and scientific evidence to back it up.
