We undertake creative pursuits such as writing, acting, drawing, or dancing simply because we enjoy them. Intuitively, we know that creativity is good for us, and our creative passions therefore make us happy. But what are the real benefits of creativity?
Expressive activities make us feel happier, and they are a great outlet for our emotions. Some of us pursue creative activities as a hobby and some, like me, do it for a living, but no matter what road you’ve taken to unleash your imagination and self-expression, it’s pretty clear to me that making things is part and parcel of being human.
We have been creating since prehistoric times. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors left some of their first marks, the outlines of their hands and crude drawings of animals on the walls of caves.
We could go as far as to say that our need to create things is in our DNA. This has served us well over the course of time, as we have learned to create tools, build shelters and homes, cook food and make medicines for various ailments.
Sometimes, however, we have created things just for the sake of it. If you read up on the scientific research between creativity and wellbeing, it suggests that art, and more specifically, being creative, is in fact, quite useful for our mental and physical wellbeing.
Drawing, painting, or moulding objects from clay has always helped me to deal with different events throughout my life. Making Art helps me to express experiences that are sometimes too difficult to put into words.
In a world where we are faced with countless screens, and with technology now so integral to our daily working lives, using pencil and paper or picking up a paintbrush seems like a dated past time.
What I have discovered, however, is that despite becoming a reluctant digital native, there seem to be many like-minded people that value-creating something physical with a tangible outcome. It makes you feel good and I know from my many Art lessons, workshops and clubs that many staff and students feel the same way.
So, if we can bring some order to our mental or physical states just by smudging paint, writing a story or learning to play the guitar, why not take advantage of that and welcome more art into your life? I guarantee it will do you some good.
- Frank Glancy, Head of Art
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