👀 Let Your Light Shine: Embracing Art in Times of Uncertainty

This little light o' mine, I'm goin' let it shine

Last Wednesday after Election night at my daughter's preschool, the somber expressions on parents' faces mirrored the heavy mood in the room. Suddenly, the song chosen by one of the teachers deeply resonated with everyone present, causing tears to well up in the eyes of a few as if struck by a collective epiphany.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!

I'm goin' let it shine.

In times of emotional turmoil, engaging with art (music, literature, theater) can serve as a powerful tool for processing and expressing complex emotions. Creating art fosters a sense of connection and purpose, transforming feelings of overwhelm into focus. This process not only nurtures our well-being but also encourages us to actively shape the world we inhabit.

This week, I found myself drawing this print a statue at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance of the National Archives called "Future." Depicting a young woman holding an open book, the statue symbolizes the unwritten chapters of our collective history. The inscription "What is Past is Prologue," a quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest, serves as a poignant reminder that we all play a part in shaping our future.

Ev'rywhere I go, I'm goin' let it shine.

Art plays a crucial role in documenting emotions and the passage of time, particularly during periods of societal unrest and uncertainty. As Wendy MacNaughton observes, artists serve as emotional first responders, expressing public sentiments and fostering human connection through their creations. Drawing, she notes, brings us together and focuses our energies. It transforms paralysis into creativity and fear into curiosity.

Together, we must navigate the present with complete awareness and presence – not merely as observers or consumers, but as active participants who envision and build a brighter future for all. Art is a powerful tool in this endeavor, and I urge you to embrace it as a means of cultivating the shared connections that shape our continuously evolving collective history. Let your light shine brightly through your artistic creations.