Art for well-being.
What’s the point of public art and why does it matter?
If you’re interested in becoming more engaged and present with the world around you have a listen to this week’s guest Patricia Walsh, public art consultant, who explores the intersections of art and the natural and built environments and shows how it helps us press pause and get present with the power of art in our public places.
Patricia Walsh in her interview on the Brave New Girls podcast, is clear that public art plays a significant role in community engagement and personal well-being. Patricia's work as a public art consultant has highlighted the importance of integrating art into our natural and built environments. She emphasizes the power of art to make us pause, become present, and engage with our surroundings in meaningful ways.
Public art is not just about beautifying spaces; it's about creating dialogue, challenging norms, and reflecting community values. For instance, temporary public art allows communities to address current issues flexibly and responsively, which is crucial in our rapidly changing world. Moreover, art in public spaces can have substantial economic benefits, such as boosting local tourism and supporting small businesses, like fabricators who work with artists.
Considering the intersection of art and well-being, studies have found that engaging with public art can greatly enhance our mental health. Art encourages us to step out of our daily routines and offers a moment of reflection and connection, which is especially valuable in times of stress. Public art has the power to transform both personal lives and entire communities.
Patricia Walsh opens our eyes to the significance of public art. She demonstrates that public art is more than mere decoration; it's a vital part of our social fabric that can elevate our daily experiences, spark awareness, and invite us to participate actively in our communities and the broader world.
FEAR LESS GIRL sculpture
For those looking to engage with public art for a healthier life and a healthier planet, here are 10 actionable steps:
1. Start noticing public art in your community; take different routes to discover new pieces.
2. Participate in community meetings or forums discussing new public art projects.
3. Volunteer for local public art initiatives or committees.
4. Support local artists by attending public art unveilings or events.
5. Use social media to share and discuss public art in your area, sparking broader engagement.
6. Propose areas in your community that could benefit from public art to local authorities.
7. Organise walking tours of public art for friends and community members.
8. Engage with public art through photography or other creative responses.
9. Advocate for funding and policies that support the integration of art in public spaces.
10. Reflect on how public art makes you feel and share your experiences with others.
Patricia opens our eyes to how art in the public spaces and places around us can lift our everyday experience, help us to become more aware, appreciative and alive in the present moment, as well as engaging us in reflective thought, protest and participation with the issues that matter to us, to our communities, culture and the world we want to protect. She shows us how public art can give us pause for thought, help us connect with our environment, and bring meaning to our lives.
PS. Listen HERE to Patricia’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.
