4 Artistic Adventures For The Summer
Photo by Sebastian Pociecha on Unsplash
Long days of sunlight. Mellow evenings twinkling with stars and fireflies. The smell of rain and scent of wet earth wafting in the air after a surprise thunder shower. The rhythmic refrain of a cricket chorus. More time for rest and recreation. Summer.
These leisurely months of the year are an ideal season to try new pastimes and to resume neglected hobbies. Why not use this time to flex your creative muscles and embrace your inner artist?
Here are 4 suggestions to help you explore and deepen your artistic and cultural knowledge this summer.
01 | Read a classic novel.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to tackle a lengthy tome like Les Misérables or Gone with the Wind. Maybe you’d like to re-read a novel such as Tom Sawyer or Pride and Prejudice that you were assigned in school but can now enjoy without the pressure of grades and with the insightful perspective gained by greater life experience.
If this describes you, take a trip to your local library or bookstore and select a literary treasure. Read along with a friend or family member or just relish some quiet time alone immersed in the world of the story. Many classic books have been adapted into films, so when you finish your book, check out its movie counterpart and see if you like the written or visual representation best.
02 | Visit a museum.
If there are not any museums where you live, a nearby city or a vacation spot perhaps will provide options from which to pick. Spend an afternoon strolling the cool, spacious galleries of an art museum. If a particular statue or painting strikes your fancy, make a note of the artist who created it and look up more about him or her. You may discover you’re a devotee of a particular person, style, or genre.
If you’re more historically inclined, visit a history museum or “go back in time” and tour an historic home while learning more about a favorite time period or notable figure. It can be a surreal and humbling experience to view the artifacts and way of life of the people whose ideas and influences have impacted our world to the present day.
03 | Attend a live performance.
There are oh so many delightful options for this cultural exploration: community theater groups or national touring ensembles performing Broadway musicals; special summer ballet performances; outdoor programs like “Shakespeare in the Park” or other classic theater productions; orchestral concerts; music festivals, and on and on.
Your town or nearby city will likely be offering opportunities to attend one or more of these types of events. Step out of your comfort zone and go to a show you wouldn’t usually choose. You may uncover a new passion!
04 | Learn a new skill.
Take advantage of summer sessions at community colleges, parks and recreation centers, or other organizations and embark on an adventure. Learn to play a musical instrument. Take a cooking class, a creative writing course, a dance class, whatever it is that you’ve always longed to do. Bring along a friend if you’re a bit trepidatious about branching out.
Remember: you don’t need to be the next Gene Kelly or J.K. Rowling to find meaning and enjoyment in a talent or hobby. As G.K. Chesterton cheekily said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.”
In short…
Whether you select one of these suggested activities or something else piques your curiosity, don’t let summer slip away without investing yourself in an artistic or cultural pursuit. I firmly believe it will absolutely be worthwhile!
