workshops – Studio 23 – The Arts Center

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Posted 28 November 2020 | art, art center, art gallery, bay city, classes, community, drawing, Healthy, Safety, support, workshops

Art Education with Autumn

As I was sitting at home last night working on homework I was having a terrible time concentrating. It makes sense, right? There’s quite a bit of uncertainty in the world right now and it just has to have an effect on us… it can’t not! I found myself grabbing a sheet of scrap paper and moving between doodling and homework. Next thing I know, I’m getting my work done.

See, as I’ve grown older I’ve realized that doodling/creating/artmaking is not just fun and not just another distraction. It’s a great way to help us relax and refocus.

My homework doodles- clearly I was hungry!

So, how does creating benefit your mental health and how can Studio 23 help?

Well, Malaka Gharib, a journalist for NPR, found that in between daily tasks she was always doodling. To find out why she enjoyed doodling so much and what effects it had upon her brain, Gharib spoke with Girija Kaimal, a professor and researcher in art therapy at Drexel University. Kaimal conducted an experiment where blood flow to the brain of a variety of participants was measured. They found that when subjects created there was an increased amount of blood flow to the reward center of the brain. This would suggests that creating art stimulates the reward center of the brain.

In another experiment, subjects were asked to create art for 45 minutes in a studio with an art therapist. During this time, cortisol levels significantly lowered. Additionally, they found “no differences in health outcomes between people who identify as experienced artists and people who don’t.”

What this information suggests to me is right now, during a pandemic, we need to create more than ever. This is why Studio 23 has been offering art classes and virtual art lessons that you can easily follow. I make it a point to post fun, easy projects that don’t require a bunch of fancy art supplies. Because it doesn’t matter what products you use or what your result is- it’s the act of creating that helps center us.

I hope this inspires you to keep healthy and create something today!

Autumn Reyes, Education Coordinator

If you’d like to read more on that study, here’s the link!

Posted in my office space to inspire me! 🙂

by Autumn Reyes

Posted 26 September 2020 | art, art center, classes, community, painter, workshops

Art Education Updates with Autumn

Art is important. Interacting with art is important. Creating art is important. From the day we’re able to move our hands as babies, we’re communicating on an artistic level. Art challenges us. It challenges us to see things from someone else’s perspective. It teaches us to empathize and consider how we treat one another. What’s great is there is a large amount of evidence being published that supports these claims. A recent study from Brookings showed that art participation in adults contributes to a healthy society. It increase civil engagement, social tolerance, and reduces the opposite behaviors.

The last few decades has seen a huge reduction in the amount of art education our children are experiencing at school. This makes the role of our institution that much more important.

As our fall classes are starting back up, I implore you to invest in yourself or your child and take an art class or workshop at Studio 23. Because you’re not just investing in yourself… you’re investing in our community… you’re investing in our future!

Making art accessible is important to us here at Studio 23. Come join our art community as we endeavor to make the world a little better and a little brighter every day.

I hope to see you in class!

Autumn Reyes

Education Coordinator