CREATEandGIFT.org: Free Art for All
No, there is not a typo in the title. Indeed, there is a free way to acquire art to hang on your studio’s brightly colored wallpaper. Free, really.
CREATEandGIFT.org is a new concept budding not only in Gwangju, but across borders. Create & Gift (C&G) is an international forum “to share your art (whatever medium it is) and to gift it to another person, completely for free (yes, shipping is free too).” According to the Facebook group, it is an “opportunity for artists and ‘non-artists’ alike to spread art and appreciate the real gift in creating and giving.”
The process is simple: people are encouraged to dig into their creative side by constructing a piece of art and posting a picture on the page. If members are interested in receiving the piece, they can leave a comment requesting it. The artist and recipient then privately negotiate the details of shipping the art to the recipient’s own doorstep.
C&G was recently founded by Gwangju EPIK teacher, Adam Greenberg. Greenberg might have spent most of adulthood calling himself a volunteer and activist among many things, but “artist” was not a label with which he identified.
It all changed on January 1, 2010 when he came across an old watercolor set. He dusted it off and painted for the first time since middle school. He painted another on January 2, and again on the 3rd. Inspired by this new creative expression, Adam made a New Year’s resolution to foster his creativity every day that year. He shared his nightly creations on a Facebook page titled Tonight’s Watercolor.
Shortly after, a catastrophic earthquake swept Haiti, affecting thousands. Greenberg decided to give his art away to those who donated to the earthquake relief. He quickly raised more than $500. It was a win-win for everyone: the earthquake victims, recipients of art and for Greenberg, the “non-artist.”
Tonight’s Watercolor and a hope for others to experience the benefits he has enjoyed by making creative time for himself led Greenberg to found CREATEandGIFT.org. In just a few weeks after its creation, dozens of art pieces were posted, a handful gifted and more than a thousand members joined.
Some members have already reported benefits in creating. Lauren Groh of Florida was looking for a hobby when she purchased paints one day. She shyly posted a painting of the galaxy on CREATEandGIFT.org, commenting, “I am by no means an artist.” Sure enough, Groh collected more than a dozen “likes” and a few requests for more. “I have come to find that painting is very therapeutic for me,” she added, discovering she really is an artist.
Groh’s case fulfilled one of C&G’s core missions: to promote creativity, a trait that often becomes dormant after childhood for many adults. As Picasso is famously quoted for saying, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Throughout his year creating Tonight’s Watercolor, Greenberg often invited his roommates and friends to join him. A typical response was “No thanks; I can’t paint.” “Yes, you can,” Greenberg states, “you just don’t.”
It is a common misconception that some people are born without an artistic aptitude and there is nothing one can do about it. Sure, art seems to come easier for some, but like for anything else, one has to practice. Besides, it does not matter if a person’s art is suited for the Louvre or a refrigerator. Greenberg declared, “Give me Kindergarten. A simple 8-color watercolor set and printer paper makes creating less intimidating. I like to paint like I’m 5 again.”
Masterpiece or not, the mere act of creating something – anything – has mental and physical benefits. For one, participating in art is a great way to channel energy into a creative focus, ridding one’s mind of distractions. Creating as a relaxing activity can serve as therapy in stress management. Further, art is a medium of self-expression.
C&G had its first exhibit at the Daein Market Art Night in October. The wall was open for anyone to share their own art and viewers were invited to literally take the pieces right off the wall. Within a few hours, more than half of the pieces found new owners.
Ana Traynin, a Damyang high school teacher, was one recipient. She remarks, “Create & Gift is a great way to promote the gift economy and Do-It-Yourself art. When I picked up a colorful image of hot air balloons and nature, it instantly made me want to create something too.”
The Daein Gallery proved an interest, so why not encourage more people to participate? Two weeks later, C&G had an interactive booth at the 19th Gwangju International Community (GIC) Day. With provided art supplies, visitors of all ages created dozens of beautiful works to be added to the pool of gifts. The gallery transformed every half hour as art was continually being added and gifted. Not surprisingly, Gwangju boasts some very talented individuals. The creating and gifting really brought the community closer, so C&G looks forward to more events with the Gwangju community.
Greenberg reflects on Tonight’s Watercolor, “I saw throughout that year how amazing creativity can be if we make that time for ourselves. There were nights when I was completely uninspired. And it showed. Those pieces are terrible! But that is not the point. I am colorblind after all.”
Want to get involved? If you are a “non-artist,” try dabbling in different mediums to see which form is most expressive for you. It does not have to be on paper; dance, poetry and theater are certainly also means to also express your creativity. Consider joining the Gwangju Photography Club, Stitch and Bitch (Knitting Club), Gwangju Performance Project or the Artist Collective. And do not be shy to share your creations on the Facebook group at www.CREATEandGIFT.org. All art is welcome.