Finding Creativity, Voice, and Supporting Black Artists
I struck out to write this blog post about creativity and I got stuck. In my rounds as an Art from the Heart volunteer, people echo this feeling all the time; I offer them a brush and some paint, and they stop me: Oh no, I’m not really creative. What they’re really telling me is: I’m afraid I won’t know what to do! If I try to do something it won’t be right; it won’t be “good art”.
It’s impossible not to write about racism right now, and I got stuck. I was afraid I wouldn't know what to say. I was afraid that if I tried to say something, it wouldn’t be the right thing.
As a white person, part of my privilege is that I learn about racism instead of living it. With that, it’s my responsibility to use my privilege to work towards dismantling racism. This is a big undertaking, and it sometimes feels like staring at a blank canvas.
When someone tells me they're not really creative, I tell them something that I now needed to tell myself: If you don’t know how to start making art (or how to start dismantling systemic racism), seek inspiration!
I turned to Black artists, writers, and activists to listen and learn. Inspired by their voices and their power, I decided this blog post should serve to amplify them. Art, itself, also amplifies - amplifies messages, experiences, emotions, and perspectives.
By following BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) artists, buying and supporting their work, and championing their successes, I hope you find your inspiration and your voice to fight for justice with love and creativity.
Here I’ve highlighted a few artists from this Vermont Arts Council newsletter, a great resource as it highlights many BIPOC artists living in our Vermont community.
2019 Ripton Elementary School Mural by Will Kasso
The City in My Mind by Deidra Razzaque
Art comes in many different forms, and it isn’t always visual. Here is a VPR interview with actor and artistic director, Jarvis Green (6 min), and a VPR conversation on race and racism with poet Rajnii Eddins as a guest (48 min).
Remember, inspiration is the beginning – don't forget to put your brush to the canvas! Let your inspiration move you to action!
Art nourishes empathy, which makes it a beautiful place to start. Educate yourself through creative curiosity and allow art to help you keep your heart open.
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Sara Kassel is an Art from the Heart volunteer and mental health care worker on the path to becoming an art therapist. Born and raised in Vermont, a connection to nature inspires her art in many mediums, from watercolor landscapes to repurposed textile and clothing design. Sara has formal training in fashion design, fine art, theater, and martial arts, and she also dabbles in poetry, gardening, and dance.
