Quoted from Michael K. Corbin, the ArtBookGuy, ART FOR ALL PEOPLE – A COLLECTORS JOURNAL – WE TALK CONTEMPORARY ART (trademarked). Please visit his web page at: http://artbookguy.com (link is external)
SEE FAMOUS ART NOW. By checking out contemporary art shows now, you can get acquainted with artists and their work before they become famous or even while they’re growing in popularity and price. By visiting you can call yourself a trendspotter or even a trendsetter.
MEDITATION. For me, art is a form of meditation. Nothing carries you away and clears your mind like visiting art galleries.
CREATIVITY. Nothing boosts your own personal creativity more than visiting art galleries. If you want to boost your own creative juices, visit them often. I’m not sure how it works, but it feels like osmosis. Being around and in the company of creative people makes YOU more creative. Don’t get caught up on HOW, just enjoy your new-found process. Trust me on this one.
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS. You know, far too many of us tend to have a “what’s in it for me?” outlook. However, when you visit art galleries, you’re really supporting small businesses. You may not buy anything, but when you visit a gallery or any retailer for that matter, you’re setting into motion a chain of possibilities for them. Possibilities don’t pay the bills, but they’re better than no visitors at all. Word of mouth and the power of attraction should be taken seriously.
ART EDUCATION. Contemporary art museums aren’t the only places to learn about art. You can learn plenty at art galleries. A really good art gallery will have “people-friendly” staffers on hand who can tell you all about the art that you’re seeing in addition to some things about the artist. Just get over your fear (or take your fear with you) and WALK IN. This is not a pop quiz. No one is judging or snubbing you.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. This is literally the heart of the matter. If you open yourself up to art, you see this entire world of creativity to literally transform you as a human being. I’m not kidding. Since I’ve been visiting galleries, chatting with artists and seeing so much art, I’ve become – if I do say so myself – smarter, warmer, freer, more tolerant and considerate and more at peace not to mention more creative. Try it. Visit often. You’ll see. I really believe that there’s a direct connection between lack of arts education in schools these days and the fact that society has become so snarky, cynical, angry, and far too often, wretched. We’ve lost our way. However, we can reconnect to ourselves and greater values. Art and art galleries aren’t the end all, but they do represent one pathway back to wholeness. Yes, this seems like an overstatement, but again, try it and see.
COMMUNITY. If nothing else, art teaches us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, We see this quite clearly during gallery exhibition openings. There’s nothing like being amid a crowd of people who love art. You may or may not find experts in the crowd, regardless, it’ll feel great to be among a group of art lovers who are super cool. Keep in mind, the social element of art openings and large crowds often eclipses the art itself. As much as I love art and galleries, I still believe that people come first. Make friends. Art friends are the best.
JUST PLAIN FUN. Yes, art is just plain fun. All contemporary art requires is that you spend a little time with it. Get to know it. See yourself in it, good or bad. The process is fun. Art teaches and revels who we are to others and ourselves. If you’re into self-examination, you’ll have a blast.