Visual Arts in the Education field
Introduction
The artwork is a language that humans understand as it brings pictures to the mind that are relatable or pictures that enable them to communicate. Visual arts have been used to express ideas, societal beliefs, and values, and also helped in making sense of the surroundings. In daily activities, visual images are everywhere. The human mind tends to take in these images and try to understand them or make sense out of them by visually outputting thoughts and ideas as Richard J. Powell states about Jacob Lawrence’s Keep on Moving, “Acts of individual and collective boldness in the decision to pick up and set off into the unknown” (Powell, 91). Visual arts have gained momentum and brought benefits to individuals and communities because of their close relation to the professional field of general education. Visual arts have been fundamental when it comes to the development of creative skills, ability to persist criticism, creation of healthy humans, vibrant communities as well as prosperous economies through creativity. It has also strengthened communities through the community participating in learning and making art together.
Visual arts in the education field
Visual arts have a close relationship with the professional field of general education. Visual arts broaden the minds of people practising it (Hetland and Lois et al., 113-117). It is related to general studies since it creates a field where teachers learn how to handle different levels of visual arts and understanding students in different levels and can encourage them to express their skills through the imaginations and thoughts they have as displayed by Jacob Lawrence’s artwork, “And the migrants kept comming.” Generally, education requires mental skills and these can be tapped into through professionals in visual arts. Therefore, visual arts in education requires educators that are well invested in visual arts.
The teaching of visual arts can help in the development of creativity, mental as well as imaginative skills as well as the ability to persist in criticism (Lloyd, 6). This is because it creates a platform where creative ideas, mental skills as well as imaginative skills are required, therefore, bringing the chance of soaring the creative side. One is required to express thoughts and imaginations and be able to put them on paper and in an artistic way and in an understandable way. This helps push and boost one’s potential since a chance of performing the imaginations is given. Also, when the art is presented, and people appreciate the work, it boosts self-confidence and the desire to do better.
Visual arts have strengthened communities through the participation of artwork in the local community. Projects such as the laundromat project offer a chance for people of colour a chance of learning art as well as making art with the members of the local community despite their low incomes (Sherman). Through this, they offer a chance of strengthening the community and therefore promoting unity among the community members. New opportunities and possibilities where local community members can meet and interact are created, and through this, communities are strengthened.
Visual arts are helpful to the community by the creation of healthy members of the community, a vibrant community, and a prosperous economy through creativity. The community has benefited from visual art performances because it has brought them together and to be able to practice visual arts together, every member participating had to understand their differences, accept them, give every participating member a voice, and to appreciate each other. This, in turn, results in positive input from the members through critically thinking on issues affecting the society, creatively coming up with solutions to problems facing the community, and in the long run resulting in productive members of the society (Huss and Ephrat et al., 290- 295). A good example is Samuel Cashwan, a sculptor in the 20th century, who helped in architectural work as a result of his visual artwork.
Conclusion
In conclusion, visual arts has a close relationship with the professional field of general education. As discussed, teaching and learning of visual arts help in building a community that is able to think critically and come up with creative solutions to problems. Visual arts has brought the advantage of having a vibrant community and healthy members. Also, visual arts is an aid in building a community’s togetherness and unity through the learning of visual arts.
Work Cited
Huss, Ephrat, et al. “Arts as a vehicle for community building and post‐disaster development.” Disasters 40.2 (2016): 284-303. Accessed 3 September 2020.
Hetland, Lois, et al. Studio thinking 2: The real benefits of visual arts education. Teachers College Press, 2015. Accessed 3 September 2020.
Lloyd, Kimberly. “Benefits of art education: A review of the literature.” Scholarship and engagement in education 1.1 (2017): 6. Accessed 3 September 2020.
Powell, Richard J. “Jacob Lawrence: Keep on Movin’.” American Art 15.1 (2001): 90-93. Accessed 3 September 2020.
Sherman, Susan. “Spotlight: The Laundromat Project.” NYFA.org, 12 Nov. 2009, current.nyfa.org/post/68818759963/the-laundromat-project.