I don’t believe it’s a stretch for me to say that the beginning of 2025 has been tense, stressful, and scary for some.
It has been so easy for me to get bogged down with bad news every time I turn on my phone. I’ve been desperately looking for ways to connect with the communities around me to recharge, reset, and tackle new news in a way that is healthy and productive.
I’ve found the best way to do that is through art – whether I’m making it or consuming it.
Below I listed some reasons why it is important to dig deep into the arts now more than ever. Take what resonates with you, and leave what doesn’t.
- Art is a form of activism and storytelling.
Making art that is tied with a social agenda can effect change – such as creating a community, eliciting specific emotions, and making a statement. This isn’t anything new. In fact, art activism happened all the way back in ancient Egypt, where artists created pieces that criticized those in power. You can see it today with Banksy’s work, or small local artists, or even neighborhood coffee shops.
Last month, our Social Media Manager, Camilla, and I spent time in Studio Arts with a bunch of other women in the community making Riso print posters (which X Abbey Kleinert and X Kasey Hock put on) for the Women’s March, which are will be featured in an exhibition next month at SAGE for Women’s History Month. The posters will also be archived in the UWGB library. This is just one example of how you can use art to promote awareness.
- Art can benefit your overall being.
As I mentioned in my previous article, participating in the arts can help your overall well-being – regardless if you’re consuming the art or making it. Many times, creating art can be a form of stress relief.
Social prescribing – or connecting people to activities and groups, often around arts and culture, to improve their health – has been affective for those who deal with PTSD. Keith and Stephanie Early can attest to that.
- Art helps us remember the past.
An article on Eclectic Gallery’s website states: “Preserving the past through art is not a passive act; it’s a conscious effort to protect the echoes of history. Art has a unique ability to transcend time, acting as a vessel that carries the collective memory of societies.”
Art that is created during a critical time – whether it be good or bad – can be archived help us to remember the events that happened as well as teach future generations.
I feel Dr. Lisa Rose Lamson, an Assistant Teaching Professor of History and Humanities here at UWGB, said it best: “Art can reclaim narratives that are often targeted for destruction.”
Rachel Sankey is the engagement coordinator for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at UW-Green Bay.
An alumna of the college, Rachel graduated in Fall 2021 with a BFA in Writing & Applied Arts and a BA in English-Creative writing.
