The following article was first published in the Amarillo Pioneer on November 22, 2017

By Renea Dauntes

As we explore those things we are grateful for over the next few days, there is one (often overlooked) thing to be mindful of and remember not take for granted. It touches our daily lives and in some ways keeps us sane in the midst of a crazy world. There are no politics, no countries, no belief systems involved; it just is. We won’t always agree on it, what’s good or bad, but we all need it. Art.

When you turn on your radio, watch movies, read a book, go to a museum, sit in a car, walk into a building, stay warm under a fuzzy blanket with a pretty design, you are surrounded by Art. It’s easy to forget what the steps are to make an object that someone will eventually make use of in their life. Art isn’t only the mysterious piece hanging on Gallery walls. It’s the care and attention given to your business logo, the conscious decision to make a certain garment in a particular fabric, and a night listening to an incredible symphony. Artists prevent our world from being mundane and generic.

This season, as you look around your home, businesses, and community, please take a moment to appreciate the hard work that’s gone into making your world more beautiful, efficient, or enjoyable. Remember that those who have made the blockbuster you’re going to enjoy started, long ago, in a city not too different than ours. Perhaps they were in performances like those done by Amarillo Little Theater. Musicians playing the music you listen to while entertaining, may have started in an orchestra like our very own Amarillo Symphony. Artists who create the gifts you may give probably started in similar studios to those in Sunset Center. Everyone starts their journey somewhere.

In order to ensure our future is just as vibrant and full of art. We must do what we can now, around us. By supporting your local artists, you’re making it possible for them to carry on in their work and contribute to our society in meaningful ways. This season, please be grateful for the individuals in our community that make our lives richer for the talents that they offer. Support them as a patron, encourage their efforts, or even better- join the ranks! When we celebrate art and artists in our area, the whole population benefits. Visit the Amarillo Museum of Art or Panhandle Plains Historical Museum. Join fellow citizens at Sunset Center for First Friday Art Walk. Attend the Nutcracker Ballet by Lone Star Ballet. Find something new and try it!

May your life be filled with joy, beauty, love, happiness, and especially— Art.