Art in Community The Power of Plein Air: the benefit of doing art in nature Seeing sunbeams after the long dreary winter days, have you been finding your home or studio lacking in inspiration? You might want to try art en plein air. En plein air is a French expression, meaning simply, "in the open air." As with most things when said in French, it gains a romantic quality. But it's not just the language that makes it such a charming practice. Traditionally, the most frequent practitioners of plein air are landscape painters who leave the studio to come face to face with their subject: the land before them. "Plein air painting is basically working from life, says landscape painter Dan Mondloch. "When you're in the landscape you can see the color in the shadows and notice subtle variations that might otherwise go unmissed," Dan says. More than just a practice that refines painting technique, spending time in nature increases feelings of happiness and well being. Students painting at the OSilas Labyrinth at White Bear Center for the Arts on July 25, 2023. and even has cognitive benefits. Breathing in fresh air, basking in natural sunlight, or feeling rain on your skin can have rejuvenating qualities. Michele Combs, this year's judge of WBCA'S annual Into Nature Plein Air Competition, says, "I love painting by water or a beautiful garden because they soothe the soul and lift my spirit." It also stimulates Upcoming events "The Star of Riches is Shining Upon You" Community Reception & Book Release White Bear Center for the Arts June 13, 6:30-8:30 PM "The Star of Riches is Shining Upon You" is Forrest Wasko's latest photo series. This project delves into the interplay of chance, fate, loss, and one's relationship to the world around them. Sandcastles and Creatures The 20th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival The Hanif Performing Arts Center May 30-June 9 Ten short, never-be- fore-seen plays from across the continent are presented by some of your favorite Lakeshore Players performers. Watch each show and then cast your ballot for your favorite 10-minute play of 2024. Lakeshore Players Theatre Summer Camps Memorial Beach, White Bear The Hanif Performing Arts Lake June 15, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Build an original sand- castle, sand creature, or sand sculpture. Bring the whole family, along with any sand tools you want to use, and your imagina- tion! Center June 10-August 23 From our production camp of Disney's The Artistocats KIDS, to classes in stage combat, and more, we can't wait to share a summer of creativ ity, learning, and, FUN! the oh-so-sought-after flow state. Michele states, "I go into a zone and become very engaged in the process of painting. It's a heightened sense of awareness yet relaxation. I feel it takes one away from issues and problems of everyday life and reduces stress." While indoor painting is often more convenient and comfortable, outdoor painting can be more social and less isolating than being in a studio. "My painting has given me new connections with like-minded people." Michele says. She can tell countless stories of random acts of kindness. From a stranger finding a four-leaf clover to put on her easel for luck during a competition to generous people bringing her sweet treats after watching her paint for several hours. Regardless of your medium, plein air is a practice all artists, or people, should consider to reap its benefits. Take writing for example; so much of writing is setting the scene and staging sensory details. How much more naturally would that come to us if we were in the setting itself? That is something writer Amber Guetebier is experimenting with in her plein air writing sessions through WBCA called, Outside Writers League (OWL). She claims that being outdoors helps writers capture the sensory details of their surroundings. "The way the air feels on your skin, the mixed sounds of daily life, like birds and boats and laughter, the smell of grass." Amber says. "All of those things can become more present when you're outside While Amber acknowledges that being outside has its obvious health benefits, to her, the intention of OWL is to create visibility and connection for writers in the community. "Writing tends to be a very solitary undertaking, so finding others to commiserate with, especially in a beautiful setting, can keep a wayward writer going for weeks. Whether it's hiking the Great Smoky Mountains as Dan does to paint, or gathering at the local park as Amber will with her students, the process of engaging with the natural world is exactly the kinesthetic and whole body experience we need. The Joy of Creating From the time the earliest humans marked their handprints on the walls of caves, art making has been synonymous with the human experience. Even in our busy days, we find ways to make art: doodling, humming, dancing, taking pictures, or even composing beautifully written emails. We do art because it feels good, in ways deeper than we even fully understand. When drawing or painting, you might think you're merely making forms on a page but studies have shown that engaging in any sort of visual expression has neurological benefits. Art activates the reward pathway in the brain, which then perceives it as a pleasurable activity. Scientists have also found that just 45 minutes of creating art with an art therapist significantly lowered cortisol levels, the hormone related to stress. So, what type of art should you do? That's easy: follow your heart. Thanks to art education centers like White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA), art in the community is accessible to most everyone, offering a number of carefully curated classes and programs stimulating connection, creativity, and most importantly, joy. People are often drawn to ceramics for its versatility, but it's also therapeutic to the mind and body. It engages our muscles, vision, and imagination. Those who crave movement might explore yoga, which Photos by WBC Contributed The Joy of Creating: WBCA student Gail Shea creating a sculpture at a day open studio session at White Bear Center for the Art enhances relaxation and focus, or dance that can help manage pain while being rhythmic and expressive. For those who don't consider themselves artists, you're in luck. No matter your skill level, you'll be able to feel all the good things that come with making art. Studies show that even consuming art in a gallery can help reduce stress, combat loneliness by connecting with the artwork and other gallery goers, and make life a little more meaningful. Art in Community The Power of Plein Air : the benefit of doing art in nature Seeing sunbeams after the long dreary winter days , have you been finding your home or studio lacking in inspiration ? You might want to try art en plein air . En plein air is a French expression , meaning simply , " in the open air . " As with most things when said in French , it gains a romantic quality . But it's not just the language that makes it such a charming practice . Traditionally , the most frequent practitioners of plein air are landscape painters who leave the studio to come face to face with their subject : the land before them . " Plein air painting is basically working from life , says landscape painter Dan Mondloch . " When you're in the landscape you can see the color in the shadows and notice subtle variations that might otherwise go unmissed , " Dan says . More than just a practice that refines painting technique , spending time in nature increases feelings of happiness and well being . Students painting at the OSilas Labyrinth at White Bear Center for the Arts on July 25 , 2023 . and even has cognitive benefits . Breathing in fresh air , basking in natural sunlight , or feeling rain on your skin can have rejuvenating qualities . Michele Combs , this year's judge of WBCA'S annual Into Nature Plein Air Competition , says , " I love painting by water or a beautiful garden because they soothe the soul and lift my spirit . " It also stimulates Upcoming events " The Star of Riches is Shining Upon You " Community Reception & Book Release White Bear Center for the Arts June 13 , 6 : 30-8 : 30 PM " The Star of Riches is Shining Upon You " is Forrest Wasko's latest photo series . This project delves into the interplay of chance , fate , loss , and one's relationship to the world around them . Sandcastles and Creatures The 20th Annual 10 - Minute Play Festival The Hanif Performing Arts Center May 30 - June 9 Ten short , never - be- fore - seen plays from across the continent are presented by some of your favorite Lakeshore Players performers . Watch each show and then cast your ballot for your favorite 10 - minute play of 2024 . Lakeshore Players Theatre Summer Camps Memorial Beach , White Bear The Hanif Performing Arts Lake June 15 , 10:00 AM - 12 : 00 PM Build an original sand- castle , sand creature , or sand sculpture . Bring the whole family , along with any sand tools you want to use , and your imagina- tion ! Center June 10 - August 23 From our production camp of Disney's The Artistocats KIDS , to classes in stage combat , and more , we can't wait to share a summer of creativ ity , learning , and , FUN ! the oh - so - sought - after flow state . Michele states , " I go into a zone and become very engaged in the process of painting . It's a heightened sense of awareness yet relaxation . I feel it takes one away from issues and problems of everyday life and reduces stress . " While indoor painting is often more convenient and comfortable , outdoor painting can be more social and less isolating than being in a studio . " My painting has given me new connections with like - minded people . " Michele says . She can tell countless stories of random acts of kindness . From a stranger finding a four - leaf clover to put on her easel for luck during a competition to generous people bringing her sweet treats after watching her paint for several hours . Regardless of your medium , plein air is a practice all artists , or people , should consider to reap its benefits . Take writing for example ; so much of writing is setting the scene and staging sensory details . How much more naturally would that come to us if we were in the setting itself ? That is something writer Amber Guetebier is experimenting with in her plein air writing sessions through WBCA called , Outside Writers League ( OWL ) . She claims that being outdoors helps writers capture the sensory details of their surroundings . " The way the air feels on your skin , the mixed sounds of daily life , like birds and boats and laughter , the smell of grass . " Amber says . " All of those things can become more present when you're outside While Amber acknowledges that being outside has its obvious health benefits , to her , the intention of OWL is to create visibility and connection for writers in the community . " Writing tends to be a very solitary undertaking , so finding others to commiserate with , especially in a beautiful setting , can keep a wayward writer going for weeks . Whether it's hiking the Great Smoky Mountains as Dan does to paint , or gathering at the local park as Amber will with her students , the process of engaging with the natural world is exactly the kinesthetic and whole body experience we need . The Joy of Creating From the time the earliest humans marked their handprints on the walls of caves , art making has been synonymous with the human experience . Even in our busy days , we find ways to make art : doodling , humming , dancing , taking pictures , or even composing beautifully written emails . We do art because it feels good , in ways deeper than we even fully understand . When drawing or painting , you might think you're merely making forms on a page but studies have shown that engaging in any sort of visual expression has neurological benefits . Art activates the reward pathway in the brain , which then perceives it as a pleasurable activity . Scientists have also found that just 45 minutes of creating art with an art therapist significantly lowered cortisol levels , the hormone related to stress . So , what type of art should you do ? That's easy : follow your heart . Thanks to art education centers like White Bear Center for the Arts ( WBCA ) , art in the community is accessible to most everyone , offering a number of carefully curated classes and programs stimulating connection , creativity , and most importantly , joy . People are often drawn to ceramics for its versatility , but it's also therapeutic to the mind and body . It engages our muscles , vision , and imagination . Those who crave movement might explore yoga , which Photos by WBC Contributed The Joy of Creating : WBCA student Gail Shea creating a sculpture at a day open studio session at White Bear Center for the Art enhances relaxation and focus , or dance that can help manage pain while being rhythmic and expressive . For those who don't consider themselves artists , you're in luck . No matter your skill level , you'll be able to feel all the good things that come with making art . Studies show that even consuming art in a gallery can help reduce stress , combat loneliness by connecting with the artwork and other gallery goers , and make life a little more meaningful .