Why Take an Art Class?
June 2024 – Erica Wilkinson, Education Manager, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
Art classes can expand our views of the world, allow us to express our emotions, foster a sense of self and help us to make connections to the world we live in. There are many reasons to take an art class. One might be to try something new and push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Some classes provide an emotional supportive experience like a class founded on social interaction, or ones that give us the time to reflect and express our inner thoughts on paper. Some may take an art class to perfect or refine their skills by learning from an advanced teacher.
No matter the type of art class, art encourages creativity and imaginative thinking, two skills that are increasingly linked with long-term professional success, well-being and building a sense of community. Art classes provides people and children with a place to engage in out of the box thinking and can help hone creative problem-solving skills.
Stress Relief
Taking time away from the digital world by picking up a paintbrush, colored pencil or molding a piece of clay can offer a person time to destress. Researchers at the Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions found that 45 minutes spent creating art significantly lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Additionally, the study revealed that participants didn’t need to be skilled artists to experience stress relief. Whether you’re a lifelong artist or taking your very first art class, the health benefits are the same.
Culture
Art is a universal language with artistic styles, techniques, and ideas. Throughout history, art has been a form of communication across cultures. Artistic expression provides a forum for dialogue and discussions about multiculturalism. Art classes provide a space for people from various backgrounds and cultures to come together, appreciate each other's artistry, and engage in meaningful discussions.
Explore Art Classes in Your Community
The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts offers various visual art classes year-round. Classes are for all artistic abilities and taught by talented Wilson Center teaching artists.
Classes are offered weekdays, evenings, and weekends with some single day classes to give someone a chance to try something new or multi-day classes that provide a more in-depth opportunity to learn and develop artistic skills or fine tune a project.
Artists as young as 2.5 will enjoy classes that explore different materials and provide a place where they can interact and socialize with others. Teens and Tweens can take classes just for them or enjoy a class with a parent or caregiver. Adult only classes provide a place for adults to engage and interact with each other.
Classes include pottery, watercolor, acrylic painting, paper crafts, photography, and more.
One up-coming class offers the unique opportunity to draw from guest ‘models’ featuring animals from the Elmbrook Humane Society.
A full listing of classes can be found online at www.wilson-center.com/art-classes