THE THERAPY OF ART

MAE STAFF WRITER, EVAN SOSA-TRUJILLO, 9/11/24

It’s been said that life imitates art. That means the patterns, shapes and colors found on a canvas are directly related to the experiences we have in life; that creativity is a core value of living. Ancient civilization indulged in creative painting and sculpting not because it was necessary for survival but because art is deeply rooted inside us all.

The importance of art is recognized by the Lincoln staff and they have given us many course options to explore ideas creatively. The San Diego Unified School District has made 1 year of Visual and Performing Arts a requirement for graduation, but Lincoln promotes the arts as much more. The arts at Lincoln include: Music (Band and Orchestra), Visual Arts (Artivism, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics), Multimedia (Videos, Graphic Design),  Dance (Musical Theater), Design (Engineering), and AP Art where student can earn college credit by submitting a portfolio of their own original work. While these classes teach students important skills and working together, they most importantly serve as creative outlets.

Art gives students a choice to express themselves in a healthy way, instead of emotional and physical outbursts. Studies in prisons with art programs repeatedly reveal a correlation of artistic expression and less violent incidents amongst inmates. To put it simply, art provokes thought and creates a sense of community, both lead to a reduction a person’s violent behavior. Becoming skilled in an art has a beneficial effect on a person’s self worth and personal interactions. 

Beyond the monetary benefits of producing art, Lincoln teachers like Ms. Ragowski (Visual Arts) and Mr. Perine (Music) have found that creating art makes them feel good; something they hope to pass on to students. One teacher said, "I just want to help my students become better people, and art can do that." Students seem to agree. Students find the art classes at Lincoln as some of their favorites because the classes are relaxing and often therapeutic.

We all have anxieties and frustrations that tend to build up. Art provides a way to cope and even release this tension through creativity.