Dear Editor:

Art by the people, of the people, and for the people…

Art is for everyone, and to a large degree, art is in everyone. Yet, far too many feel separate, intimidated or alienated from the world of art. Making art is telling a story, describing whom you are, how you feel, responding to what floats your boat.

There is artistry in the trades, in business, in medicine, in education, in almost everything us humans are involved in doing day to day, year to year, lifetime to new lifetime. Without artists and their creations, there would be no history, no growth, no reflection, no civilization — in short, no human existence worth existing for.

Recently, I asked a local hardware store clerk why he hadn’t gone next door to an art gallery’s exhibit of regional artisans’ work, the Studio 53 Holiday Event. He humbly described himself as not being the type of person who frequents art establishments. I got the sense he felt that looking at art requires some lofty prerequisite knowledge. I let him know that first off, the current “event” isn’t just pictures on walls, it represents the handiwork of over a dozen artisans; our neighbors, associates and friends who created items to share with holiday shoppers.

Yes, there are also paintings and sculptures for sale, as well (some of which highly interpretive) yet most every item in that gallery is very easy to understand and relate to because most everything under the roof at 53 Townsend Avenue is generated by a love for this place most of us call home.

The current Studio 53 Holiday Event is for anybody who loves and cares about our community. And, you don’t need a degree in art appreciation to look at what your friends and neighbors have created. 

There is art in everyone, and lots of local folks simply want to share their art, their story, their view and their craft.

The art of fostering local commerce and business development is very much about places like Studio 53 Fine Art Gallery and its annual Holiday Event. This is where we can boost our own creative economy.

Paula Arsenault
Boothbay