“Start where you are, use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe.
Today’s article is not about tennis, but I think this pro athlete’s quote is fitting for many facets of our lives. Especially as one can be tempted these days to feel overwhelmed by the COVID climate. I hope via this article to give you a few minutes to just breathe…and then maybe spark your creativity right where you are.
There are artists all around us; I would venture to say everyone is an artist in their own way. Some use mediums like paint, charcoal, and sketchbooks, while others whip delicious masterpieces in the kitchen. Another might be the inventive genius behind engineering or the level-headed numbers person that keeps us all on budget. No matter your area of expertise, you have been (or are) learning to thrive right where you are, in 2020 of all places, and now into 2021. Don’t measure your steps from the person next to you – you just keep stepping forward.
What does forward look like? The only thing that is certain is the same thing that was known before – growth, use of talent, success are all different for everyone. So what’s that got to do with art? You might ask. There are a variety of programs, art studios, job opportunities around the country that revolve around showcasing people’s creative side. I was wondering how something like that can come to our counties, our piece of the world – Western PA. Maybe one of you dear readers are on the verge of launching a new kind of support. Maybe one of you browsing blog enthusiasts are about to embark on your own journey. Maybe someone on the other side of this story is utilizing new therapies, new methods of support. Wherever you are, I hope you are encouraged and maybe inspired by some of these resources/examples below to go out and do what you can.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Creative Citizen Studios, Pittsburgh PA citizenstudios.org/about
- Pittverse Magazine, Pittsburgh PA pittverse.org
- Art Enables Studio, Washington D.C. art-enables.org
- Art Works Gallery Studio, Scranton PA artworksnepa.com
- Cafe’s, Bakeries, Ice-Creameries, etc. around the U.S.A. which are started/run by people with disabilities nolimitscafe.org/about/
- Accessible Chef, online resource accessiblechef.com
- Cookability: Accessible, online resource from the UK United Response youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl79ZsuMB5bYbVZduF8_-jl_fPwpMqsCv
- Theater Companies ameridisability.com
