Students should attend and support fine arts events on campus
Moscow might be the heart of the arts, but the city’s motto seems to be lost on many University of Idaho students.
This is one of the subtle dichotomies of UI.
Ryan Tarinelli
While there is a large amount of institutional and community support for fine arts, many UI students seem to ignore the opportunity to attend the numerous art galleries, concerts and dance recitals on campus and in the community.
On many levels, it’s understandable. Students have busy schedules and are often involved in student organizations, living group activities and other hobbies — not to mention their full class loads. Sparing an hour or two on a weekday night to go see a music recital or art show can seem like a waste of time.
Exposure to fine arts is a critical part of a well-rounded education. It can challenge a belief, evoke an emotion or change a mindset.
A solo piano sonata can bring up the longing memory of an ex-partner, while a sculpture art show can illustrate the isolation of depression.
Fine art has been carried throughout history because of its ability to evoke powerful emotional responses from people, and it’s something all students should experience at least once while at UI.
Unlike entertainment, which is designed for the amusement of the audience, appreciating fine art takes brainpower and critical thinking. The more thought and critical listening one puts into it, the more they get out of it.
And again, unlike entertainment, the purpose of fine art is not always clear or easy to understand.
This is just one of the reasons fine art gets a bad wrap with many.
That being said, there are some popular performances among students that also have a large following within the Moscow community.
Dancers, Drummers, Dreamers will celebrate its 24th year at UI this weekend. The performance transformed into an annual event for both community members and students.
The upcoming production of the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” seems to have a lot of interest on campus as well. The musical has also attracted a number of special guests, including UI President Chuck Staben.
These productions are more entertainment than fine art, and there’s nothing wrong with that. They blend the line between entertainment and fine art, which subsequently attracts students and can be used to expose them to other events.
It is important to note that all art is not for everybody. For some, a jazz concert might put them to sleep while a ballet would have them on the edge of their seat.
Not everything connects with everybody, and that’s OK, but students should make the effort to check out at least a few fine art performances.
Luckily for students, in Moscow and at UI there is no shortage of these events. Exhibits in the Prichard Art Gallery in downtown Moscow, plays in the Hartung Theatre and music recitals in Haddock Hall in the Lionel Hampton School of Music are just a few venues where fine art is consistently featured.
While it’s great to listen to a record or see a painting online, many fine art forms were made to be experienced live, which is why attending these events in person is such an important component of appreciating art.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]