Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

I often wonder and question why I love art so much. One reason I know is that I feel great comfort in the

environment that art is often housed in. Museums, like symphony halls, theaters and opera houses are

generally beautiful classical structures in the style of ancient Greece or Rome. Many of the buildings on the

National Mall in Washington DC are characterized by symmetry, repetition, columns, domes and detailed carvings. I

wish that every American had the opportunity to visit the museums, monuments and gardens that makeup the

National Mall as it is a great place of national pride. It’s interesting to know that the National Mall was commissioned

by George Washington. The last several decades have experienced museums created for modern and

contemporary collections of art. The architecture itself is often a part of the art. The mood is set for the art inside as

you approach the museum; it acts as an appetizer for the coming attractions. The Getty Museums in Los Angeles

are so beautiful that it can be difficult to concentrate on the art when the frescoed walls, mosaic floors and ocean

views framed by monumental arches command your attention. It is real hard to imagine having a bad day in this

setting. It has been my experience in life that art brings out the best in people. Someone once described art to me

as “mankind at his best.” Taking the time to experience and hopefully enjoy art can be a great personal gift. I find

that viewing art, watching a play or listening to a musical performance is somewhat of a luxury in the context of the

busy overscheduled lives that many of us lead today. I need to knock on wood as I write this, but I think that it is

the environment here at the Colquitt County Arts Center that children enjoy and respond to positively. We have had

little to no disruptive behavior with the thousands of students that come through the Arts Center every year. There

seems to be something about the space and the relaxing atmosphere that puts most of the kids on their best

behavior. The formality of the setting I believe is somewhat intimidating in a good way. I can see that some kids are

not quit sure how to act but acting badly is clearly not one of the choices. When I have the opportunity to go to

a play I rarely pass it up. I see this same passion in the eyes of Packer Fans that wouldn’t dream of not going to the

game on Friday night; it is the same feeling exactly that I have for theater. Seeing a play a second time is always a

welcomed experience because I have the opportunity to see and hear small details that I may have missed the first

time. Art exhibits are something that I can’t get enough of. When I lived near the Los Angeles County Museum

of Art it was not unusual for me to go to the same exhibit three or more times. You will always see something that

you missed the first time around. Gallery openings are a similar experience but with the addition of wine, better yet!

I can find elements of every great art experience that I have ever had in my lifetime here at the Colquitt County Arts

Center. The building is a stately Georgian Revival style popular at the time it was built in 1928 with great architectural

details. We have amazing works of art by world-renowned artists and local artists alike. Plays that have moved me to

tears and plays that have made me smile for days. Dance performances by dancers that put their heart and soul into

every step during one of Ms. Lovedy’s recitals and the music I hear coming from any one of several studios inspires

me daily. Art has always been a very special experience for me. The Colquitt County Arts Center is a very special

experience waiting to be enjoyed by you.