Making more than art

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are getting in touch with their artistic side. Whether it's from the boredom of isolation or the desire to try something new, individuals have reportedly been testing out their creative abilities, which in exchange may be beneficial to their mental health. Mandy Huston, assistant librarian at the Dorcas Carey Public Library, said she has encountered adults in the library's monthly crafting class, Crazy Crafters, who have expressed they feel relieved from stress after creating an art project. She believes crafting is what helped some people get through the pandemic. "During our February session, one of the attendees shared that she was stressed from dealing with car trouble and driving an unfamiliar rental," said Huston. "She was looking forward to crafting to help her relax. By the end of the class, she felt so much better." Huston said the adult crafting class encourages individuals to create in a social environment and connect with the art they are making. Classes are held the first Monday of every month at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Zoom classes are also available the following Wednesdays at 1 p.m. "As my college art professor Philip Sugden explained it, creating keeps you grounded in the present," Huston said. "Your hands and mind are actively focused in the moment, not regretting the past or anticipating the future." Sugden, an assistant professor of studio art who has been teaching at Bluffton University for 22 years, said one of the most important things he has learned throughout his journey of being an artist is that the creative process is more vital than the piece of art itself. "When you're in the creative process, your brain is usually very focused," Sugden said. "It can be an aesthetic experience, and that's where you're so focused your brain is not dealing with anything else, and it allows the nervous system to really relax." After graduating from the New York School of Visual Arts and the Paris American Academie des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1981, Sugden spent a majority of his time traveling and learning about artwork in different cultures throughout the world, specifically the Tibetan culture. He said art is a universal language that can be read intuitively, and it may be healing to individuals as they learn to express themselves creatively. For example, Sugden said art forms such as ceramics and whittling may be great creative outlets since they are primal and therefore more instinctual. "I think ink drawing is (also) really good because it goes all the way back to the caves," Sugden said. As an activist, developing and learning about community through art is an essential for Sugden. Art itself is a connection to the community, he said. Sugden has also created a pre-art therapy major for Bluffton University students, due to the increasing awareness of the connection to mental health and art. Jennifer Perez-Savage, a licensed bereavement art therapist in Findlay, said she believes art plays a role in communication due to the dialogue within the subconscious of the art maker. She said art helps the maker feel their emotions and put them into words and expressions. "Art is heavily rooted through problem solving," said Perez-Savage. "When you're engaging in art you're in control of making decisions. It helps with focus, it helps with mood shifting to be more relaxing, it helps you gain more confidence in yourself." Perez-Savage explained that throughout her career of working with combat veterans, individuals in recovery and immigrated families from across the world, she has learned that art can be used to do things like start a conversation or acknowledge trauma. "Art has kind of been the grounding point in feeling like there's some control in that clear space," said Perez-Savage. "Our interpersonal awareness through art making or art exploring teaches us to be open minded and have confidence and communication with yourself or others. "I really think that art therapy is lifesaving; it's such a freeing experience if you let it be," she said. Douglas: 419-427-8505