the idea: have a community paint a windmill for their town This is actually the first community art idea I ever had back when I was a junior in college. My college was basically one huge hill which got quite windy sometimes, so I thought it would be a fun project to try to get …
My first intensive weekend class at Lesley University perfectly exemplified the source of my passion and of community art: the sheer amount of creative energy that can accumulate from a group of inspired and inspirational individuals. This energy can be created within any group, but over the course of the weekend I experienced the powerful …
As I began my foray into the actual theory and thought of the existing community art world, I encountered a discrepancy at the very entrance: no one knows exactly what to call this field. Arlene Goldbard sticks with Community Cultural Development while Tom Borrup chooses Creative Community Building. These are just two examples of the rampant terms that exist …
It’s about time for me to mention the woman who first introduced me to the world of Community Art: Claudia Bernardi. I’ve already alluded to her once or twice because, as the woman who opened this world to me, she often comes to mind when I think about it. I first met Claudia in my sophomore …
So far I’ve been focusing mostly on communities creating art, which makes sense when trying to define Community Art. I’ve listened to musicians, read about museums, and researched as much as I can before I get distracted by my next big idea. But there is another important way that community art can be created; along …
For the past month I’ve been in a whirlwind of everything happening very quickly interspersed with moments of absolute nothing. Neither of these states has encouraged my writing here, although I have scribbled in notebooks while familiarizing myself with the local bus and train system. But once I get home I want nothing more to …
Today I’m taking inspiration from a different venue: from live performances instead of sitting alone and reading. Don’t get me wrong, reading the theory and the experience of others is important and it leads to better understanding and greater appreciation of community art, but participating in live community events can trump almost any amount of late night …
Although perhaps not the greatest end in and of itself, I find Wikipedia a perfect means. Where better to start looking for something than on a massive, free, internet data-base? Especially if you consider that what I am researching is about community involvement, and Wikipedia is based on community involvement. Yet I found the Wikipedia article on …
My answer, and the reason I created this blog, is: I don’t know. Ignorance is terrifying. However it is especially so when it’s about a field that you have decided to dedicate your life to. When people ask me what I plan to do, as everyone is bound to ask at some point, I say that …