The natural routine of life often turns hum-drum if we are not fulfilling our basic, fundamental human needs.
These are not only food, clothing and shelter, but also such things as affection, understanding, participation, leisure, creation, identity and freedom. Having art in our lives feeds these needs and helps us overcome the monotony of a life less lived.
As August Rodin put it, “Art: The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” If anything, art helps us live life to the fullest. One of the fundamental things artists can do for us is redirect us from the mundane routine of life and toward those things that breathe excitement, aliveness and newness – refreshing us as we grow and experience this world, this life. Artists help us by identifying things that we tend to overlook, but which, ideally, we should care about, know, feel and understand.
We experience life and creation through the eyes and actions of artists on the stage, on a canvas, embedded in a sculpture, in a film, in song and more. In this service to us all, artists have a daunting task, but also a very fulfilling one.
“I love the challenge the theater provides me, which is what I also love about my visual art,” says local visual and performing artist Maureen May. “It’s the learning, adventure and enjoyment that keep me coming back to it all. Another added element is the interaction with the audience, whether it is in my stage or artwork.”
Once again, as your community arts center, Durango Arts Center offers many ways to rise above the hum-drum and revive your inner artist and creative spirit.
With the help of Alpine Bank, we begin our 2015 Theatre Season with “Other Desert Cities,” a collaboration with Merely Players that showcases the talent of locals, including Maureen May – and others who just may be your friends, neighbors and coworkers. This superbly crafted, contemporary adult drama brings the dysfunctional family story line to new heights, while brimming with wit and illumination.
DAC also recently kicked off its 2015 Adult Art Workshop Series with 13 more workshops scheduled through fall 2015 and supported by New Face Productions. We will be bringing professional working artists from all over to offer workshops on paper arts, pastels, monotypes, printmaking, plein air painting and more.
A few spots are still available in the Encaustics workshop with Michael Billie from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21-22, but don’t wait to register because workshops fill up quickly. Drop-ins always are welcome at the Art History Lecture Series of talks by Judith Reynolds, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through April 2.
If you are an artist looking for the inspiration to show your work, the 39th Annual Juried Exhibition opens Feb. 20 with artwork drop-off Feb. 17.
Visit www.DurangoArts.org for a complete schedule of events that are sure to help you overcome the hum-drum. There still is time to become a season subscriber and save almost 20 percent on theater tickets. Visit us, and feed your fundamental human needs.
elsa@durangoarts.com. Elsa Jagniecki is the marketing coordinator for Durango Arts Center.
