riences in ways that best meet their needs: meditative, reflective, inquisitive, or simply reacting to the artwork itself. Fortunately, we live in an area that has given our community an abundance of visually artistic hidden gems, sometimes in the least expected places. The Town of Wake Forest Public Art Commission’s mission is to provide the community with a number of opportunities to enjoy visual art throughout the town. The Chair of the Public Arts Commission, Elizabeth Hayes, explained to me, “We hope public art creates a sense of place in Wake Forest – a place that draws people to spend time with their thoughts or with others.” So, if you’re out enjoying a bike ride on the greenway, walking the path at Joyner Park, strolling in Downtown, or just exploring Wake Forest on a warm, spring day, be on the lookout for the many murals and sculptures sprinkled around town, and take time to enjoy and appreciate these beautiful hidden gems. BY ROBYN GOSS BENNAI
CREATING A LIFELONG LOVE OF ART Children are wonderful observers of art. Their perspective is pure and true to their hearts. I remember one of my children thinking aloud, “The painter must have been really sad that day, or he ran out of white paint,” upon seeing a painting that used dark shadows to create drama. Benefits for children who spend time observing visual art include higher thinking skills, creativity, understanding of emotions, curiosity, and a connection to the community.
HIDDEN
GEMS
PUBLIC ART AROUND TOWN While I have personally studied art and love painting, I certainly know that not everyone is cognizant of all the benefits that visual art has to offer. There are several forms of art, and most people enjoy at least one on a daily basis. Music, for example, is an art that fills our car rides with entertainment. There is nothing like playing a song you love and belting out the lyrics that you may or may not actually know. Another form of art that seems to naturally become part of our lives from a young age is dance. Children love to move to the sounds
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of music – twirling in circles or bouncing up and down. nlike music or dance, most forms of visual art, such as paintings and sculptures, are more formfocused and viewers can be more deliberate in their interactions with the art. In other words, you can stand and look at the same piece for as little or as long as you want without any change in it. In this way, visual art provides the viewers the possibility to shape their expe14
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There are four pieces available for observation at the Renaissance Centre, located at 405 Brooks Street in Wake Forest. In front of the building is a sculpture by Jordan Parah, titled “Dancing in the Moonlight.” It is an interesting sculpture that can lend itself to an engaging conversation with your child. For example, you may ask questions such as: – Why do you think the artist named it “Dancing in the Moonlight?” – Does it make you think of moonlight? – What do you like about it, and how does it make you feel? – How do you think it was made? – How long do you think it took to make? – From what do you think it is made? – How do you think it was transported here? There is an endless amount of questions that can be asked about Parah’s sculpture, or any other piece of art. Focusing on feelings provided by the artwork, an exploration of meaning, and a discussion about materials is a great way to get the conversation started. Additionally, there are three murals at the Renaissance Centre. There is a large permanent mural on the side of the building by Taylor White, “Flora and Fauna” (pictured) and two temporary murals, “If Mother Nature Could Dance” by Maureen Seltzer and “NC Spring Road” by Delphine Peller. You can also discover another fantastic sculpture until June, “Orpheus” by Charles Pilkey, just down the road in H.L. Miller Park.
June 2021
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