By Cesar E. Flores
What is art? It is often said it is a medium of visual expression, a Universal Language, that the Arts have always been a reflection of the social, economic and political conditions existing at the time of its creation.
The artist uses its sense of design, color and craftsmanship to create masterpieces of great beauty and design, reflecting the conditions of the culture which produced it. This can be seen in the type of materials the artist used. The artist also uses inner resources which include imagination, emotions, knowledge, intellect, fantasy and a multitude of life experiences. It has been said that artists are the Observers. Visual Communicators that reflect our lives and the opinion of the world and thus interpret the human condition.
The positive impact the arts have on individuals are immeasurable. The loss of the arts programs in the schools leaves a huge vacant spot in the development of an individual as well as the community as a whole. The creative process helps in the development of self-worth. It gives one a feeling of accomplishment. A sense of being creative.
Using the arts as a means of self-expression has tremendous rewards. In the mid-70s, I had an opportunity to work with some “at-risk” young men and women. We formed a “street theater” group and dealt with issues that affected their age group. This group was selected as “the most innovative drug prevention program in the state of California” and one of 11 national models by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in Washington D.C. Most of the members of that group went on to become university and college graduates and are successful and active members of their communities.
We seldom have an opportunity to see artists at work in their own creative environments or have the creative process explained to us.
Cesar E. Flores is a veteran actor who is president of the SBC Arts Council, a board member with the SBC Chamber of Commerce and is cast in “Anna in the Tropics” in August at the Western Stage at Hartnell College. Films to his credit include “August Evening,” “Cutting Horse” and “This So-Called Disaster.” He also notes that on April 25 and 26, San Benito County Open Studios 2009 has artists in Aromas, San Juan Bautista and Hollister. The Artists’ Reception is 4-7 p.m. April 4 at the Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street, Hollister. For more info: in**@sa***********.org.
