World #artdropday

World #artdropday - Originally Posted September 1, 2015

#artdropday #artdroporange

“if you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.” unknown

Today is World #artdropday! Being an artist and being keenly aware of the impact art has on viewers I create pieces that uplift, enliven, or just make people happy ~ and I love that! I cannot pass up an opportunity to make someone happy. Just last week I saw a post on Facebook that a fellow artist friend shared about World #artdropday. I had never heard of it, but I was intrigued. The more I researched the more I knew I had to participate!

“Art is not a thing; it is a way.” Elbert Hubbard

I did a little google – ing and this is what I can tell you about World #artdropday. 2015 marks the second annual #artdropday which is held the first Tuesday in September, that would be September 1stthis year – today! But it didn’t start out in September, it started in the summer of 2014, with an artist – Jake Parker. If you’re not familiar with Jake Parker, he is a prolific illustrator based in Utah working on animated films, comics, and books. In fact, you might already have seen some of his works in films like Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Rio (2011), and Epic (2013). He was taking a cross-country trip, driving with family, when he spawned the idea for art drops along the way. As he stopped in new places he would drop a piece of original art hidden away somewhere or even in plain sight and post on social media what town he had left it in and a clue to help it be found. He decided to mark one day a year as World Art Drop Day to encourage other creatives to do the same. World Art Drop Day is a global art campaign that aims to connect the whole planet with art. I love this idea!

“We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother.” Jane Goodall

I haven’t run across it being done in my little town of Hillsborough – yet, but thats where I’m starting because thats where I am. If you want to participate (even a little late or next year) Here’s your instructions: * Make some art and hide it somewhere. * Take a photo of either the art or the hiding spot or a combination of both. * Post the image, the city you dropped it in, and a hint on any social media of your choice. Be sure to include the hashtag #artdropday (this is the worldwide hashtag) * Then move on, hoping someone finds it. OR hang around and meet your new friend. That’s it! * And if you claim a piece of art yourself, post a selfie of you and your new art with the hashtag as a thank you. And when I say ‘you’ that means anyone, that means students and professional artists, painters and cartoonists, sculptors and illustrators, animators and fine artists, EVERYONE who creates! The world needs this right now, we humans need to feel more connected to each other. There’s nothing like the bond between two random strangers that comes about from the act of giving. I’ll be adding the hashtag #artdroporange to the worldwide hashtag hoping to spread this idea in my area. (Hillsborough is in Orange County North Carolina) In Williamsburg, just North of me, the creative community is working together to encourage participation. How great is that?! Their hashtag is #fallartdrop. I think each year we will find more pockets of participants. This can really make a difference in people’s lives and the global perceptions we hold of one another. Wouldn’t it make your day to find a piece of art – yours for the taking?

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” Nelson Mandela

So as I was out and about dropping art today these are the pictures I took and posted to social media. (I used FB and Twitter) I dropped off paintings on canvas, but you could create any kind of art. If you search using the hashtags you will be amazed how many artists are participating this year, I took a look and was really happy to find so many. Wherever you are have a look around!

Orange County Public Library – Art books section of course! 

Riverwalk – on a bench on the path behind the old courthouse.

Weaver Street Market – in the tofu section!

US Post Office, downtown – with the free packaging supplies they provide.

Orange County and Hillsborough Visitor’s Center – on the front porch. 

Light, Love, Laughter,

Shannon

“The world is but a canvas to our imagination.” Henry David Thoreau