Imagine, for me, an artist. Got it? Good. Now, let me paint you a picture, so to speak. The beatnik, smoking a cigarette in a grungy lounge somewhere. Or maybe the art collector snob, who buys pieces of trash for millions of dollars. Is that what you pictured?

It is the unfortunate truth that perceptions around art have been colored heavily by cliches such as these, which frame art as either a depraved “career” or a privilege of the elite. As far as society is concerned, art follows several simple trends. For one, art is easily defined by painting, drawing, or, if you fancy yourself a Michelangelo, sculpture. Second, modern art is void of meaning and only exists for rich people to spend inordinate amounts of cash on. Third, artists are weird, self-centered, tortured, and of course, poor. Now, I cannot say that there are no artists who fit these descriptions. And some may, through no fault of their own, in fact be starving. I also cannot argue that shallow art does not exist, and that art itself has not been co-opted by the rich, as it has for centuries, and will continue to be, as some false sign of intellect. It should be said however, that no matter what is done with art, it cannot solely be defined by such assumptions.

Art is everything. Well, not actually, but just about. Art is so much that no one can seem to agree on how much it really is, or rather, what it isn’t. For this, I find the task of defining art foolish, an insult to its vitality. That being said, allow me to try. Art is commonly perceived as unnecessary, frivolous, extraneous, and in some ways it is, but not how you may think. You see, it all comes down to this: Art is a triumph over necessity. Art is the things we do, the things we make because we have survived to experience life.

More than intentional creation, art is a natural byproduct of the human condition. Everyday, art surrounds us in ways we don’t even think about. It lives in your diary, in the scribblings in the margins of your paperwork, your favorite playlists, and yes, even in your bad dancing. Society likes us to think that only the intellectual and the rich can engage with art, that artists are other people, but remember, many of us have been artists since we were children, and thousands of years before we were doodling on our bedroom walls, our ancestors were painting on theirs. Much of the modern perception around art is ironically centered around an idea of exclusion, that is, what art can be and who can make it, but the inherent beauty of art is in its accessibility. Art isn’t just a job title, or a picture in a museum, it belongs to everyone. Surprise! You too, hold the power of art, and with it, the right to expression. We can all create, and each of us has something unique to bring to art, whether it is “good” or not.

Art is such an essential part of life, and yet, we have been taught to understand it in this constricted way as something inessential. Depictions of art often inflate its worst aspects, making it seem like some vestigial organ of humanity, but, in reality, it is our greatest tool for communication, for inspiring change, for reflecting truth. Where art is little more than a means to an end in the eyes of society, in the hands of humanity, art liberates. When we forget art, we forget our humanity and forfeit the power which each of us holds. So, if we wish to realize our essential right to creation, we must first change perceptions around art which tell us our power is not ours. We have to stop shoving art in a corner and let it be the everything that it is.

The village of Saranac Lake embodies a deeply creative spirit. Murals bring our structures to life, colorful designs adorn our benches, chalk art brightens our sidewalks, and bug sculptures wait for us on walks about town. Countless galleries exist in town to facilitate the careers of local artists, and, if that’s not enough to convince you, consider the creativity behind our very own Winter Carnival–is the Ice Palace not a collaborative, site-specific, large-scale art installation? Is the parade not a moving gallery of unique works? All of that, and I’m barely scratching the surface of our community’s vibrance. Nonetheless, Saranac Lake still suffers from broader trends of exclusion.

Now, this problem is far from confined to our small town. It all goes back to the inherent disconnect between art and the larger public, reinforced by our long held cultural misconceptions. By this, no matter how welcoming our artistic spaces are, they often remain resigned to their designated niches, as people are reluctant to engage with them for fear of not belonging. Another issue is teen involvement. In many areas of society, teens are pushed to the wayside. While there exists a wealth of artistic opportunities for children and adults, teens must fend for themselves, without such specialized community spaces. This is ironic, seeing as teens often need these resources the most.

The first step to changing perceptions around art is bridging the gap between community and creative spaces. Organizations and groups such as ADK ArtRise, Bluseed Studios, the Adirondack Center for Writing, the Dance Sanctuary and the Northern Lights Choir already do this by offering artistic resources and all-ages opportunities to the public. Our regularly held farmers markets and ArtWalks do a great job of this as well, giving space to artists and engaging community members. For teens and adolescents looking to connect with the arts, there are several local resources, including the Saranac Lake Young Arts Association, which works to support young artists, and the Youth Center, where kids can go after school. Although the Youth Center is not art-specific, it is the perfect example of a place which casually facilitates creativity by simply providing kids with a welcoming and recreational space. Another place which does this rather well is our high school.

Alongside the rest of the district, Saranac Lake High School uniquely captures our community’s creative spirit. Our school embraces the arts in most all aspects, actively encouraging students to get involved creatively, and offering uniquely creative classes and opportunities to kids on a regular basis. The musical department is particularly impressive, with many students participating in choir, band, vocal ensembles, jazz band, and the musical. Even in the wake of COVID, there are consistent efforts among our school’s faculty and students to keep the arts alive, and seeing what the school has been working on over the past few years has made me confident in the continued prosperity of the arts within our school.

The high school is full of creative minds leading the way for students to find expression and community. Seeing the clear success these educators have had engaging students of all kinds with the arts, I chose to interview a few, in the hopes that their personal experiences would shine some light on the importance of the arts.

Every single person I interviewed felt significantly impacted by the presence of art in their lives. High school art teacher Angela Trumbower stated she has always had a love for creation, and that she found confidence and community through the arts. Kelsey Francis, senior English and Creative Writing teacher, identified herself as a lover of all art, unable to imagine her life without it. Of his own experience, high school band director Keith Kogut stated, “Looking back, I had a shockingly great group of musicians & teachers. There is no question they are the reason I’ve been teaching band for 18 years now here at SLHS.” When asked how the arts had impacted his life, choral director Drew Benware responded, “Participation in the arts has made me more human and has allowed my deepest humanity to be expressed with the world.” Art has something valuable for everyone, and in Kogut’s words, “Some of our students may go on to major in music during college, some may just sing or play for fun, and maybe some will never sing or play in a group again, but during their time here, art & music give many a community where they belong.”

Art also provides us with an outlet. Trumbower made the point that, “Seeing, creating, experiencing the arts in many forms brings joy to people’s lives.” The skills we take away from exercising our creativity are invaluable. Over the years, Benware has seen his students, “blossom into confident young men and women, reflected not only in their musical knowledge and performance, but through the way they carry themselves, the conversations they have, and the leadership they begin to exercise with their younger peers.” From her experience, Francis said, “Art makes you feel and think. And anytime I see art allowing students to feel or think something new, I’m thrilled.” By encouraging creativity in our youth, we reinforce powerful tools for life such as problem-solving and self-expression which make for more well-rounded, sensitive, and intuitive individuals.

With each of these educators, there seems to be a throughline to their educational philosophy which I find deeply applicable to integrating the arts. In his approach to teaching, Kogut says he emphasizes sincerity, and creating an accepting environment in which students feel respected. Similarly, Benware stressed the importance of making kids feel heard, and taken seriously. Francis says it is important for people to feel safe in artistic spaces, “being surrounded by supportive artists and teachers is how anyone, regardless of age, keeps creating.” So too did Trumbower state, “I think the key to creating a safe and welcoming learning environment is to foster personal connections and relationships with students so that they are free to be themselves, ask questions, take risks, and think differently without judgment.” Speaking as a former student, I can say, vehemently, that the work these educators put into providing welcoming artistic spaces for their students, goes a long way towards liberating them to create further.

So, how do we rewrite art in the social consciousness, and more importantly, how do we create a culture around art in our own community?

The answer is right there. Art is humanity’s refuge, and all we must do is treat it as such. Only by integrating art, by cultivating a more inclusive and welcoming culture around the arts, and by recognizing its presence in our lives, may we liberate it as well as ourselves. Art is everywhere, and as it deserves to be seen, we deserve to see it. Next time you want to picture an artist, look no further than the mirror. Art is yours. Keep making.

— — —

Katie Ransom is a recent graduate of Saranac Lake High School.