Individualism is what sets us apart from one another. The way we style our clothes, the vernacular we use, the hobbies we enjoy make us individual. If those differences were to disappear, we would be left with a lack of identity. In the same way, art is essential to community and distinguishes it from the thousands of other groups across the globe.

   Within our own school alone, there would be no more posters for sports games, no “fashion page” in the yearbook, no music or theater programs, no art or pottery classes, and even our school logo would cease to exist. While we see art everyday, the true importance of it in our lives often goes unnoticed. However, the reality of it is that without art, life would be bland and unemotional.

   A world without art is hard to imagine. It seems it would be dull and gray. Senior Javier Orozco, an art student, said, “Without art, I think [our would] would be a little lifeless.” Art Teacher Delia Martin said, “Without art, we would be mute. Art has many definitions. It cannot be defined in one way, but… I would say art is another language. You don’t have to speak. You can just do it and people understand.” For many, art is a way to express their thoughts and feelings on a certain matter when words fail. “Art gives students the ability to think for themselves. It is very important that students can look at things, they can assess them and come to conclusions based on their own experiences in life. They can choose, and they can determine whether something is good or it isn’t without being told. Most importantly, it gives you the ability to be confident and be yourself,” said Martin.

   Art is more than just paintings and drawings. It is the music you listen to and the clothes you wear. “Artists [can] talk about things such as political standings, messages from day to day, and overall joy. I think that without art, the community loses a huge part of who they are, without even realizing it,” said Orozco. Art is the voice of any community. It reveals culture through visuals and sound. While art distinguishes us from one another, it also brings us together. Local concerts, stylistic graffiti, and even libraries reveal forms of art that bring us together. “I think art is part of our human behavior and our ability to look at the world and determine beauty in our own way. I don’t think we could ever do away with it,” said Martin.

   According to an art and decor website, “Art is an immediate mood-booster, and it fosters feelings of relaxation, creativity, and inspiration” (elephantstock.com). Simply the act of seeing or hearing art can improve one’s mental health. If you’ve ever had the stress of a bad day relieved by your favorite song or a funny picture, you’re not alone. In fact, millions of people experience these positive effects of art everyday without noticing it. “Art is a means of healing. It’s a means of communication, and it’s a message that translates beyond language. We have wonderful murals [in the school’s halls] showing all kinds of emotions and feelings,” said Orozco. “Art gives the opportunity to anyone of any age to be able to express themselves and leave it for posterity.” Frequently, the assumption is made that to create art, you must possess a certain level of skill; this could not be more false. One could use something as simple as stick figures and still communicate a beautiful story; in reality, what matters most about art is the story one can express, and the effects of the work.

   Art is undeniably a cornerstone of our community. It provides a window to students’ ideas and opinions, while improving mental health and morale. Without art, our lives would lose style, color, music, and most importantly, meaning. We would be unable to express our individuality and our sense of community would slowly fade. It is important that we create more ways to keep art in our communities, such as art fairs for children and young teens. Art is incredibly important to our society. Few stop to fully acknowledge just how much art benefits us, but it does.