Arts And Humanities Month

October has much to offer, changing seasons, colors, weather, celebrations, events plus it is Arts And Humanities Month. The arts as you know are near and dear to my heart. So, what it Art? What is Humanity? And how do they connect? Why is this important?

Merriam-Webster:

Art: skill acquired by experience, study...
2 a :a branch of learning: (1) :one of the humanities (2) arts plural :liberal arts
b archaic :learning, scholarship

Humanities: Humanity plural humanities
1 :compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition :the quality or state of being humane
2 a :the quality or state of being human joined together by their common humanity
b humanities plural :human attributes or qualities
3 humanities plural :the branches of learning (such as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs... and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics)
4 :the totality of human beings :the human race :humankind

These definitions about some up art and humanities as life, learning, skill, compassion for humankind.

Supporting the arts, supports everyone. It has been proven, not just a theory, that the arts, visual, musical, dance help in development of the brain. Art helps in the healing of PTSD, TBI, Alzheimer's and overall general education. An interesting PBS special that aired in 2014 is "Art & The Mind" by Leo Eaton.  Additional research and programs are being formed around the country. Here is a link to Art & Healing. https://artandhealing.org/art-healing-ptsd/

These are some of the reason why art is important to us all. The humanity of art, what would your life be like without art? Just think of the few things you may have done this morning. Maybe had coffee in a nice mug made by a potter. Drove to work in your car that was designed by an artist, where a sculptural mock up was created, colors developed just for your driving pleasure. How about the shirt, jeans, shoes you are wearing, an artist design them, another may have created the colors, the fabric and yet another assembled them. Art is everywhere.

So as this month goes by each day there is a theme. I will try to keep up and post something in support of the arts. If you would like to post photos, your art, anything at all, because it is all art. Go to http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/images/2017/showyourart2017-social-graphic.jpg for your theme calendar and start posting. You can also go to http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/national-arts-and-humanities-month to find out more about activities, conversations and events.

Thank you for your time and patience. I will now step down from my soapbox and post more art.

Day 1: Red - A photo taken at the Rose Gardens in Portland, OR

 Day 2 - Dance - As the hummingbirds were dancing around waiting for me to fill their feeders, I thought of this little painting. A mixed medium piece.