Art Beat: local voices express what creativity means to them

I interview a wide variety of creatively inclined residents across the Mat-Su Valley. I’ve learned a lot about our local art scene and the sheer scale of talent that’s found around every corner of the community.

Whether it’s a local father establishing a new venue for local teens, an ice sculptor reaching for a world record with an ice maze, or a stay-at-home mother who started a small business and offered workshops, creativity comes in all shapes and sizes, but there are commonalities across the mediums in every ambition to create something that wasn’t there before.

Here are some local quotes from my recent interviews with creative Valley residents to illustrate various takes on creativity, many sharing the same underlying themes:

“It’s just a challenge. Some people love puzzles. Everybody has their thing that they just enjoy doing. Just trying to solve something is fun. Building a thing is a challenge. Solving it is a challenge. It’s a giant art piece too. So, even if you’re not into it for that reason, if a maze isn’t your thing, it’s still really pretty to look at the ice and backlighting… I like the idea of people being lost in there, trying to find their way out. I’m glad I finally did it… I’ve built this thing plenty of times in my head… Ever since I was a little kid, I liked drawing and I liked making stuff. I typically see things that I want to turn into other things.”

— The Ice Maze owner Cory Livingood

“I think people need to create in order to feel like their purpose is being fulfilled in life... All of our ancestors made art. We need beauty in our surroundings. It gives us such a sense of pride and purpose... Art is just good for your soul.”

— Art for Kids founder, Mariah Johnson

“Music for me is good for the soul… Music might have saved my life.

— Local musician and Arize Entertainment owner, Josh Davis

“Find something that helps you feel creative, feel productive, and feel calm, all at the same time; and do it during nap time. Put a movie on if you have to. Do it at night time. Wake up early… It’s good for my own mental health, my emotional health, and my creative health. I highly recommend it. Find something that scratches that itch for creativity. Get together. Invite people to get coffee. Ask questions. Share your information and ask for advice.”

— Local artist and small business owner, Lena Sloan