Art is the Emotion that Drives the Community

“Art is the emotion that drives the community”. Mark Haglund

This is why. Life is like art and art is like life, right? We have all heard that.

So, what is a community but a bunch of lives thrown together. Art is emotional. So if there is no art in people’s lives, the community is missing that emotion.

On a business level a community is made up of a bunch of businesses. We have hardware stores, convenience stores, plumbers, lawyers, doctors, gas stations, lumber stores, contractors, carpenters, handymen, restaurant, gift stores, fine dining, well you get the idea. All of these establishments or occupations are important in a community.

Each one of the business owners can be passionate about their business or profession, but let’s face it every community has it’s own business and fabulous business owners.

What defines your community? What sets it apart from other places? Why would anyone outside of your community want to drive to yours to spend their money?

Well let’s look at some examples. Broadway defines New York. Chicago is defined by it’s great Blues clubs and art galleries. LA is defined by Hollywood. Get the drift? These are all big art meccas. People can get emotional about going there. Some plan their vacations around going to these places. Ever heard of Branson, Missouri before? Not until they decided to brand their town as a venue for Country Music.

I will finish by saying this. A strong art community is a stronger financial community. The emotion that is stirred in the lives of people is the same emotion that spurs the growth in the community.

So support your local art community and all of it’s artists.

Mark Haglund

Fine Art Artist

Arts Alliance Member

Storefront is US.

716 Main Street, Elk River, Minnesota, will soon be the hot new address for the arts in the Northwest quadrant.
Through an agreement with the City of Elk River's Housing Redevelopment Authority, the Arts Alliance will have a storefront facility in downtown Elk River for at least two years. Many exciting ideas are being talked about how this new facility will help spread the work of the Arts Alliance to more people.
You can be a part of this new, exciting venture. Call the Arts Alliance office and say,"I want in too!"