Art has been a part of human existence since the beginning of time, from cave paintings to Renaissance sculptures and even the doodles on bus seats.

It has followed us throughout the years, developing and changing to fit our intellect and taste.

 Art is persistently tested, which is why so many are afraid to approach it, viewing it as an elite and unreachable subject. It is tested and critiqued by hundreds of thousands of viewers seeing the pieces, each having so many different ideas. There are even professional art critiquers who travel the world just to analyze artwork.

Most know the feeling of being moved by art, whether it be a painting, a song, or a novel. When someone is moved by art they become more aware of themselves and others.

Artists have a lot of responsibility when it comes to their work. Getting to know and understand something with their minds is an achievement. It also important to feel art emotionally, this is what experienced art is constantly drawing, from both viewer and creator.

The viewer seeks out new art for their own benefit, and the creator puts a piece of themselves into their art to share themselves with others. 

“Art has always been a key part of my life, even now when I see a new painting and there is a little intricate detail in it, I get so excited because I saw it with my own two eyes,” said junior Daisy Nelson.

Arts and culture represent one of the few areas where people can come together to share an experience. Even if they see the world in two drastically different ways.

In art and other forms of cultural expression, disagreement is accepted and embraced as an essential ingredient. In this sense, the community created by arts and culture is potentially a great source of inspiration for politicians and activists who work to transcend cultural boundaries, worldviews, and ideals all for art.

“I would say the most famous painting I know is the Mona Lisa. It causes some argument over whether it’s the best painting in the world or not, and it shows that even people from other countries are willing to debate what the best painting is. That shows the power of art,” said sophomore Ariana Ramos.

By bringing together so many people from different backgrounds, art has the ability to open eyes and allow new things to be learned. These encounters with art can help us identify with one another, expand the idea of unity, and show us that there are no barriers when it comes to art.

Art is a universal thing; it may not have the same meaning to another person, but it is there to be understood, or misunderstood.