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Dear Friends of VISA,
Thanks to all of you who have made positive comments about my new newsletter format. One of the reasons I have started writing a weekly letter is that I really believe that art, in particular contemporary art, is relevant to many aspects of contemporary life whether or not you are a practicing artist. Sometimes I will mention to somebody at a social gathering that they should consider taking an art course. And most often the immediate response is 'I can't take an art course because I have no talent'. I don't believe in talent per se; I think some people are more proficient at drawing or painting or music than others, but everybody is able of making something or of making observations in case of art history courses. The finished work of art is only a small part of the impact that artmaking can have on you. The two most important things that you will get from any art course is (1) the ability to live in the moment and (2) heightened perception of the world around you. You will get this from a drawing, painting, photography, art history or any other course we offer.
I've been taking dance courses over the years. Ballet. Yes, ballet! I will never be good at ballet. I can barely keep my body in rhythm with the music but I take ballet because it gives me the ability to be in the moment with movement and I like that dancing creates a heightened awareness of one's body. Ballet has given me better posture and stand taller. It makes me feel beautiful and graceful. If I based my decision about taking dance on whether or not I had talent, I would never step near a dance floor. I was never good at dancing, not even as a young person. However the other advantage of taking a course on something you are not good at is it is inevitable that you will become better at it (yes, all you skeptics out there, you can learn to draw). And becoming better at something you think you have no ability at is a great confidence builder.
And with confidence, you can do anything. So to recap, these are the things you will get from taking an art course at VISA: ability to live in the moment, heightened perception of the world, increased confidence and the opportunity to participate in a great community that is the Vancouver Island School of Art.
Our courses start the week of January 7, so check out the schedule today: Winter 2013 courses.
School is open Friday, December 28, Monday December 31 and then January 2. Come and drop by to check out the artwork from our Fall 2012 courses.
All the best for the holiday season.
Wendy
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