I know some people believe that art is kind of an extra—the icing on the cake. But I believe it is central in our yearning for beauty, and that it can make or break how a place makes its own people want to stay while inviting visitors to join them in activities.
The last article had this summary:
1. Enjoyment of beauty is universal
2. Art is beauty
3. Art prompts us to visit places in our memories that are particularly pleasant and uplifting (or scary or sad, etc., but that is not where we are going today)
4. Business can benefit from providing a catalyst to help us recall those places where we have encountered joy in our lives.
Here are a few more photos taken on the trip to Asheville, which is a thriving city that has become a major player in music, arts, and tourism over the last few decades.
In the first photo, the representation of ladies out for a walk conveys an old-timey feel with the shoes, hats and dresses. (Not seen well is a dog on a leash held by one lady.) It’s a fun piece, but I’d also like to invite you to look at the background. Across the street, the metal ivy surrounding the store window, the colorful awnings, the window trim and the interesting door all provide eye candy that pleases the eye and the soul. Sometimes it is details, even minor ones, that make a view more attractive.
The second photo shows how even inexpensive decorations can draw your eye to a business or venue.
Notice that the first photograph evokes ideas about the subject drawn from your own memories. YOU get to supply the meaning and it will be different for everyone who looks at this group of ladies. Art is like that. Everyone can find meaning on their own. It is a gloriously individual experience.
The second photograph suggests that beautification with common artistic elements can benefit us both by enjoyment and by helping our communities attract and retain businesses and customers.
We’ll be moving away from ideas about how to help business thrive in future articles, but I have a major interest in how we can make our community more attractive to ourselves, our young people, tourists and business without having to bring in too much big industry or big box stores. We have a community surrounded by natural beauty, and I believe if we used art and beauty to attract visitors to Cloudland Canyon, hiking, caving, the flight park, Jenkins Park, and various historical sites around us, we could have a community that is richer in experience and prosperity without losing our rural nature.
We are blessed with a large number of artists and musicians who come here for the natural beauty. Let’s take advantage of our assets and bring out the best in Dade County by beautifying and supporting the best we have to offer.
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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.