The Ripple Effect in the Arts

ENVISION THIS

A STONE DROPPED INTO A POND 

IT SETS OFF A SERIES OF RIPPLES,

 AT FIRST SMALL

BUT GATHERING MOMENTUM 

THE RIPPLES GET LARGER AND LARGER UNTIL

THEY REACH THE EDGE OF THE WATERS.

                                                                                                                                           from google image for educational purposes only

It is the same with people in a community, one person with intent and passion about an idea can effect others who effect others, until a whole community is touched.  

google, for educational purposes only

I remember watching a old classic Christmas movie, I think you may know it, with Jimmy Stewart.  It is set in the depression era when the banks fail and Jimmy's character is struggling to help all his friends and customers.  He is feeling failure and that if he could just end his life no one would care because he was worthless.  An angle in the form of grumpy old man comes down and grants Jimmy his wish, and shows him what life would have been like in that town if Jimmy had never been born. All the good he was doing would never have touched all the lives he had changed, and they in turn would not have changed other lives and the community at large would have been a desolate place.  
In this community where I live I see people who make a huge difference for the area, especially in the arts.  It may be the same in your area or town or it could be your area is awaiting someone to step up and offer leadership.  That person may be you or a group you represent.  I can see towns, as I travel, that have grown in the arts and others that have not.  What a difference it makes for the richness of peoples lives and the prosperity of the community. 
In my community there are many people to thank and to be thankful for the energy and passion they put into art and art education.  Here is an example of one person's passion about art and community that is making a huge difference in our area. 

Duncan McClellen, Glass Artist              from google image for educational purpose only

DUNCAN MC CLELLEN/GLASS BLOWER AND ARTIST

Imagine an old run down section of a town, warehouses that have gone vacant and set empty for years.  An area that became dangerous, due to drugs and crime.  The area was dirty, dark and not a pretty site..no one would ever want to live there or buy property.  Well, no one except for Duncan McClellen who decided to take a risk and buy and old sea food packing plant and make into his home, studio, and galleries to show other artists work.  Then in the dry sun parched sand lots surrounding his studio he plants fruit trees of all kinds and they thrive!  Now imaging other artist buying warehouses, more studio's, monthly artists walks, a trolly that comes to the old warehouse district bringing tourists.  Visualize an active thriving community, that teaches classes, sells work, art shows and an infusion of culture and money.  That is what Duncan built...of course not all by himself.  Remember the original image, a stone dropped in a pond and ripples going out.  And so it was and so it is! 

Click on this link and like their facebook page.

It can be in your community too...just seek to make a difference, seek to promote the arts, but be generous and support others at the same time, the growth will double if you do.    

A Man Who Does Good in the Name of Art

Duncan McClellan
hero of the arts

Duncan McClellan, glass artist                         from google image

DON'T ASK WHAT THE ARTS CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ARTS! 

Glass Art of Duncan McClellan                                                                from google image

That is Duncan's philosophy. It is Kennedyesque, but it is also all Duncan, a one man rocking machine!  He is a glass blower, and he etches his glass in amazing ways.  He is a charming engaging man.  He is a successful artist who has made his way.  The story could end there, if he were a man who only focused on himself and his success.  But what makes this story unique is he did not choose to focus on himself only.  He chose to help a community, a neighborhood, fellow artists, schools, and a city along the way!  

Duncan's Art Studio, Gallery, home and organic fruit garders                  photo by elizabeth gordon

He single handily turned an old dying warehouse district into a district of the arts and active studios.  He took an old warehouse in a very iffy area, sunk a huge bunch of money to turn it into his studio, galleries for himself and visiting artists and now a huge hot shop.  Every Saturday on the first day of the month he opens he studio to every one, and it is quite an event.  He also reconditioned an old trailer into a traveling art trailer for the local schools. 

with $6000 dollars Duncan reconditioned this old trailer with a sand blaster, and glass art tools to take to the local schools to teach them about glass blowing and etching.  photo by elizabeth gordon

 For he knows something I know as a teacher of the arts, if you teach children to love and appreciate the arts they will the future buyers of art, and visitors of galleries!  But he does if because he cares about kids and the arts.  He is a man with a big heart and a huge smile. 

Maryanne(art therapist and author)  and my with the handsome new manager of the new hot shop
Jake Stout

First Saturday Art Opening at Duncan's Gallery and Studio

Side patio at Duncan's Gallery with another artists sculptures

Mediterraneo by Sergio Daveri and Italian Artist

Sergio Daveri

Duncan's Art Openings are a popular event

The point is we can all chose to do art for ourselves and our needs or our bank account...Duncan chose to bring others along with him in his success and to be inclusive rather than excluding.  To me that makes him a hero...a hero of the arts!