State Of Arts

By Ms. Booger 

When the economy battles, the arts are one of the first casualties. Paintings and handmade items are neglected in favor of food and housing.  As I watched the downward turns of artists, the empty seats at theatres and concerts, the closing of galleries and the bids dive - I became angry.  So deeply maddened by all the circumstances that contributed to the now festering disease in the arts, that I fell deeper than a dollar.

I stopped making beads.  I left my studio alone and immersed myself in all manner of time fillers - my favorite of all was sleep.  How could I make beads when they were losing worth? What about the wonderful souls that supported and applauded me?  What would it mean to them if no one wanted anymore little glass people...  I guess over the years, I started to equate the value of my handmade oddities with what others were willing to give for them. The thought that the things I loved were worthless in this new world, was painful.  

Weeks passed with no melting, no beads.  And absolutely no laughter...  I gave up one day from my self-imposed imprisonment and went to the one place that used to offer sanctuary for me - the studio.  I tried one bead that day.  It was so soothing that I made another and hours passed.  I realized I had forgotten to eat and keep track of time.  I also realized how important it is for me to make small faces - to make a "thing" that did not exist before I pulled it out of the air. The value of art is not what others will offer, but what it gives to the maker.  Being creative for artistic folks is as important as food.  As needed as shelter.  And as vital as warmth.    

Creative people have supplied this world with new ways to see and hear.  They have inspired, taught and shared a change in perspective.  We need our artists.  We need them more than ever and more of them.  There is a group of people who can supply a steady and unique way of finding solutions - a group who has trouble with the idea of limits and a group who is brave enough to give form to their hearts.  We need our artists.  We need them now and we need more of them.  If you have ever wanted to learn, this is your call. 

I am going to keep making beads because I love them.  If you take away my glass?  I will make them out of dirt and bones and empty casings.  I am not stopping again. And neither should you.

Consider this a call to arms - and hearts and eyes.