Changing Culture

I had a meeting yesterday with Donna Wetegrove of Tips on Art (http://www.tipsonart.org). Though I have been showing with Donna for a few years now, yesterday's meeting was the first time I've seen her in about a year.  She is always in the best mood and greets you and speaks with a grin ear to ear.  Listening to her describe her projects is captivating as she talks with such enthuseasum and drive.  If she isn't working on securing a new arts venue for an artist event, she is working on her plans for an arts center, or simply finding new art from promising, overlooked artists.  She is slowly changing the culture of how the populous views art and artists.  We spoke yesterday about not having enough time... so many projects planned and the year coming to a close.  Little bites.  We just have to keep plugging away, taking little bites and changing the culture of art and broadening the view most people have to art.  Many of you may be reading this from across the country and across the world but here in central Texas this is a real problem.  The popular view is that if the painting does not have a cow, barn, or the state flower (the bluebonnet) in it, it is not art.  Most Texans would be more than happy to simply hang a painted representation of the Texas flag on the wall and call that art.  Changing culture. That's what we need to do and we can't do it separately. We are stronger together.  So if you're not involved, get involved.  There are Advocates and Arts Groups all across the country who do what Donna does.  My advice is find one near you, join, and contribute.