Art and creativity have been vital to the human spirit since the first time a stick was used to draw in the sand. Our spirits cry for expression, whether the high art of the Sistine Chapel or the graphic art found in comic books. We share a love of beauty in paintings, quilts, dance, music and a good yarn.
In this and other articles by Trenton Arts Council members, we will open a conversation with you—a conversation about some of the ways other people have brought beauty and joy to every day life.
As I’ve traveled over many years, I have been struck with how people make their every day lives vibrant with beauty by decorating their streets and buildings. Today I’d like to share two examples of sidewalk art: one from Spain and one from the Tampa Bay area.
In Europe, the sidewalks are often places to walk ON beauty. Broad or narrow, a walkway that is tiled or patterned draws us to follow it and to stop at the vendors who gather there, or to linger to visit stores and restaurants along the way. Trees add to the experience as they grow and become part of the scene. Fountains can provide a drink of water or a place for children to play. A simple sidewalk thus becomes a place to gather, and to attract visitors who will come for the beauty but leave some of their money at locations along the way, making it an investment in the community.
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Sue Gridley, Ph.D., EEMCP, is a resident of Rising Fawn. She is a member of the Trenton Arts Council and has had an interest in street art that she has captured in photographs during her travels.
The Trenton Arts Council has invited people who are active in the arts to submit articles for this column. Discussion, reviews, or idea will be content of the articles. The column is about the arts, including writing, visual arts, music, dance, and photography. Different writers will convey differing perspectives and differing specialties.