Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso once called art, “the elimination of the unnecessary,” eluding to the intrinsic truth within art. Whether the medium be visual, musical, written or performance, artists seem to agree on the value of art and passion of artists alike.
University of Toledo music department chair, Tim Brakel is saxophonist and teacher who believes art to be the, “representation of feelings and emotions, the communication of ideas and thoughts.” However, he warned that even his brief description was far too limiting for such a topic, but did go onto say that art does often have a few key ingredients, such as form. “To see an object come together as an entity,” he said.
Talking about music specifically Brakel said, “Music also has some repetition that holds a piece together, but also has contrasts so it does not become boring.”
He went on to say, “A piece has its own unique movements, progressions and harmonies. Typically a piece or score will also have consistency in and of itself, rather than just a bunch of unrelated ideas.”
“Art is inside us all and helps us to express our personal being; and it can’t and should not be silent,” Brakel said.
Joel Lipman, English professor at UT and Lucas county poet laureate, expressed similar opinions on art appreciation. “An individual could be wailing away at the saxophone in their house and that provides them with a certain level of joy, whether they are advanced or not. There are no real standards of accomplishment to consider one an artist—but there can be a higher degree of artistic capability.”
Art can be created by novices and professionals, such as a person in a basement playing the piano for themselves or in front of thousands of people, but Brakel, like Lipman, believes that an education in a chosen art form to be important for the achievement of a higher degree of ability.
“School helps to refine the craft and develop tools to learn techniques and history through a curriculum,” he said. “However, an education does not always mean a piece will be full of spirit.”
“Even a piece composed and scored with the potential for wonderful emotion may not be performed with such a deep passion.”
Lipman also discussed how essential school is for a striving artist, but also mentioned that there have been several exceptions to that; where someone excels as an artist without an education. “Some write in an accomplished way, some in a very basic manner, but it’s all still poetry.”
“But for the most part an education in the arts exposes a student to the craft,” Lipman said. “As well as the standards, the vocabulary and history.” Stating that the proper knowledge creates a more well-rounded artist.
“Art is a very human need to express inner perceptions and thoughtful responses to the outside world,” he said. “Whether that be as a dancer, pianist, poet or painter—there is a thread of continuity between all art forms.”
In the Toledo area, there are several locations that offer musicians, actors or visual artists the opportunity to share their creations. Places such as community theater programs like the repertoire and the Village Players, small galleries, coffee shops, which provide open mic nights, clubs and bars and downtown--the Toledo Museum of Art features a community gallery that features the work of local artists.
Jennifer Bandeen works as the community outreach coordinator as well as the gallery manager at TMA. “Art is absolutely vital for a city,” she said. “Art is an avenue of expression unlike any other activity and also serves as an outreach for the community.”
Bandeen discussed an event in which TMA worked with women at Juvenile detention center. TMA taught them about art and provided the girls with the opportunity to paint a portrait of themselves in the style of a select artist.
Bandeen is also a photographer and a children’s book illustrator, she calls art essential to her happiness but the best is when she witnesses a younger generation come to the museum and be creative as well. “Art is about passion, but also has positive affects on a community through many galleries and workshops.”
Upton Avenue is host to a community based theatre program that has been performing shows for the last 53 years. The Village Players consists entirely of volunteers and offers people within the community the opportunity to act on stage.
President of the board of directors and watercolorist, when her busy schedule allows, Laura Hansen believes self expression to be a very important element to people and society. “Art makes people think about themselves and the human condition,” said Hansen. “Art creates more rounded individuals through allowing them to witness life in someone else’s shoes.”
Hansen went onto say that the city would benefit if the artist groups around the community would communicate better between one another. “Sometimes I will see an ad for an event that has passed that I would have liked to have attended,” Hansen said.
Another vessel of artistic nurturing and expression is the Collingwood Arts Center, home to some 50 artists. Audrey Johnson, executive director and is a photographer herself calls art a vehicle from which to learn.
“Collingwood is always vibrant and busy,” Johnson said. “The center provides a space for artists where they can focus on their craft.”
Collingwood also reaches into the community to promote art through, poetry readings, dance lessons, even tai chi classes.
“The environment here encourages artists to create and think outside the box,” she said. Johnson said that she would like to see more art living spaces within Toledo because there are many artists in the area.
“It would be great to have more than just one in the community, this would create choice, but it’s not about competition,” she said. “It’s about what works for the artists through support.
“Art is not just about the end product, but the process. The community can and should be engaged in the process of creating a piece of work to better appreciate it,” she said.
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