Once upon a time, a very real boy in a very real ceramics class at an undisclosed school was proud of his work. Until one sad day his teacher showed the class his vase and loudly declared, “This is a fine example – of what not to do!” and she dropped his piece on the floor and gave him a broom and dustbin. “Clean it up,” she said. And the boy never did any art ever again. The end.
Perhaps you’ve heard similar stories. I’d not be surprised, as it’s often told and there are countless examples of such damage to our creative spirits that it’s a wonder we grow up with any creative confidence at all. That teacher had no right to judge her student so cruelly, and nobody else does either. (If your inside voice is going “Yeah, that art I made once was really good,” now is your chance to own it. I’ll bet it was great.) Don’t get me wrong, I love many things that collectively and culturally we agree are “good,” and I value effort, integrity, intricacy, color harmony, balance and rhythm. A little something surprising or unique that sets one artist apart from another is also nice. Naturally, some things aren’t my favorites. As I’ve been on the receiving end of both praise and criticism, my judgmental voice has softened over time and this feels like a much nicer suit to wear.
No matter how many books we read or paintings we paint, our respective studies of art will never be complete. This means that we will always remain, as students, somewhat subjective. That’s OK.
So how do we know what’s good? Answer: If you like it, and if you can afford it, buy it. Some of the artists we recognize today as masters of their craft were at one time the most controversial or underappreciated by their critics and contemporaries.
When you stop at a piece in the DAC window and say, “Wow, that’s amazing,” you’re connecting with a spark of inspiration that ignited something in the artist, and you’re receiving it openly and with appreciation. Good for you!
By the very nature of your openness and willingness to support a local artist, you become a Patron of the Arts, and you could write that on a nametag and crash any hotel conference party with gusto. You would also make a fine art teacher by the virtue of your encouraging spirit. Most importantly, this resonance you feel with a piece made from the heart means that you don’t buy garbaggio.
Come on by the Durango Arts Center to see the current exhibit, “That’s So Durango” and find the piece you connect with. Become a DAC member for a 10% shopping discount. Fo“llow it with a live theater performance of the musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” playing only six more times, and enjoy your new moniker: Patron of the Arts. Trust me, It looks good on you.
- “Bye Bye Birdie,” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25-26 and Sept. 1-2; p.m. Sept. 3. Tickets $25/$15.
- A Night of Improv with Cindy, Mary & Friends, 7 p.m. Sept. 8. $10/$15.
- “The Odd Couple, the Female Version,” 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30; 2 p.m. Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1. Tickets $20/$10.
- “That’s So Durango!” art exhibit. Through Sept. 19.
- Call to Artists for submissions: “The Night Gallery, A Terrifyingly Creative Community Exhibit,” see website to submit work.
- Artisan’s Market, open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.
- Adult and youth art and theater classes offered year round, see website for catalog and registration.
- 29th Annual Durango Autumn Arts Festival, Sept. 16 and 17. Along East Second Ave.
- Slump Glass Bottle Cheese Trays, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19.
- Basic Jewelry Making Techniques, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20.
- Intro to Adobe Lightroom, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21.
- Intro to Wildlife Photography, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23.
- Figure Drawing of Dynamic Dogs, 1 and 3 p.m. Sept. 23.
Email info@durangoarts.org. Buy tickets, donate, become a member, register for classes, and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018.
