Art Beat: Creative conduits

Art, much like the human experience itself is more often than not, all about connection. That could mean a connection to a higher power, one’s inner self, other artists, new and exciting people from far away lands, or locals across the community.

I’ve encountered creative individuals across genres and I’ve immersed myself in artistic gatherings of all shapes and sizes during travels across the Mat-Su Valley. I’ve learned a lot over the years and my line of work grants me a unique opportunity to step into a person’s life for a moment. Each time I delve into a person’s backstory, the bigger picture colors itself inside my mind. Universal truths, lessons, and insights echo across my understanding of how things operate in my own community and inform my perspective of the world at large.

I’ve gleaned many things through my experiences talking to creative people in the Valley, but my thesis statement is still a work in progress.

I know this much, people create things, whether it’s a painting, a song, or a handstitched scarf- it often comes from a place of love. Sometimes it’s simply the love of the craft that can be enjoyed alone in a quiet room. Other times it draws solely from the presence of others, like a concert or vendor market. Even the most socially distant people will eventually seek out the company of others and whatever they like to work on is often the creative conduit that connects them to the outside world. Like a warm, wholesome dinner, love is a dish best served with others.

When I interviewed Valley raised rapper, Choze about his music, he said that he’s currently working on projects with his brother Galax-C. I asked him what it was like to mix family and creativity. He said, “just having that whole new dynamic where we’re creating, it’s just a blessing to have that connection.”

That’s what inspired me to come up with this week’s theme. I hope to continue digging into local creative people across the board for as long as I can. At the end of the day, I’m like everyone else. I crave that connection too, and I’m fortunate enough to share my community’s story, one local voice at a time.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com