How Taking an Art Class Benefits Your Life as a Whole
By Ingrid Anderson
While the act of putting pencil lines or splotches of color on a canvas may seem dull to some, the art program at Cody High School offers many engaging avenues for any student interested in creating a physical work. Art serves as a relief for numerous students with the eight available creative classes, which include elements of drawing, painting, ceramics, and historical artistic knowledge. Under the direction of Mr. Undeberg, these allotted class times for artistic expression in the school day extend beyond the campus walls, and CHS artists Sunday Schuh (senior) and Lily Hogan (senior) believe that the skills learned in art classes apply to many other aspects of life. Skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and an overall brighter perspective on the world can be traced back to their practice of artistic expression.
The creative thought and physical processes that go into creating a work of art ring quite similar to the process of solving a math equation, choosing a route through traffic, or even picking a place to eat. As said by Schuh, “There's a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking that goes into the artistic process, which can be used in any aspect of your life.” Additionally, Undeberg explains how “the biggest skill I teach is problem solving. Really, all of life is about problem solving, thinking creatively, and most importantly, looking at things from more than one perspective.” The act of creating art requires a deliberate plan, flexibility, and a willingness to be open to change. Whether it is blending colors, making a line perfectly straight, or centering a pot on the wheel, art is a constant act of readjustments, thoughtful judgment, and stepping back to see the bigger picture. Practicing these skills with art will help to navigate problems or situations in everyday life.
Sunday Schuh creating her painting of Pilot and Index Peaks
Art can also be a process that teaches emotional intelligence and puts difficult subjects into a physical work. Hogan shares, “I enjoy the artistic process, and it teaches me how to visualize emotions, history, and problems creatively. I’ve learned to think differently about other things I encounter and see them in a different light.” Many topics can not be explained through anything other than art. Through the creative process, these ideas can be explored and then shared in a way that can be understood by everybody. The creation and observation of art can shift perspectives and allow people to understand these topics in-depth.
Along with its many other benefits, the act of making art is also a major source of happiness for students. Schuh states how, “expressing myself is therapeutic, and it’s an outlet for me to express my emotions in a healthy way.” The act of creating a physical body of work is a rewarding and enjoyable process for many students. Having a block of time in the school day that allows students to explore their creativity and practice their hobbies will ultimately improve their overall happiness and fulfillment in life.
Ultimately, art serves as an outlet for many CHS students to enhance their practical and artistic skills, broaden their horizons, and brighten their overall outlook on life. Underberg hopes that through his classes, students will “be willing to examine life, their choices, and their futures, and realize that every day you should become a little different, and a little better than yesterday.” Art classes at Cody High School teach students skills beyond color theory or art history knowledge, but also important skills and knowledge that will last them a lifetime.