This self design experience involved reigniting my love of art while strengthening my connection with the community. My work on this project consisted of completing research about art elements and principles, visiting local art establishments, producing a few artworks myself, and reflecting/sharing my journey through a blog along the way. One thing I learned during this experience was just how rich this city's appreciation for art is. Going into this, I knew Cincinnati was a city with deep cultural and artistic roots, but I would be lying if I said I was not surprised by how many layers of art appreciation I peeled away throughout my project. The most prominent way the city divulged its love of art to me was through its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At first the prospect of local establishments closing for safety reasons worried me; I was concerned about my ability to complete this project. However, many local establishments rose to the occasion and began offering free virtual tours, galleries, and online art experiences in reaction to the pandemic's difficulties.
Throughout this experience I was able to connect with a community I may not have connected with otherwise. Getting the opportunity to hear from local art establishment employees and their passion for the art they worked around everyday was truly inspiring. I also spent a significant amount of time exploring the city's public artworks, including graffiti, murals, sculptures, and more. This project has aided my growth in becoming a conscious, proactive art observer, while teaching me the extreme importance of the art community--especially during times as trying as a pandemic.
For more information about my experiences while completing my art exploration, please visit my blog! There you will find some general background information about artwork that I continuously kept in mind while exploring, as well as images of some of the amazing artwork located in Cincinnati.