This summer, don’t just look at art, experience it! Whether it’s walking through bustling art fairs, repurposing summer treasures, of creating art outside, July is the perfect time to explore new ways to connect with creativity. This month’s tips are all about diving into art in ways that are active, hands-on, and unforgettable.
Take Your Senses on a Gallery Walk
Visit a local exhibit and focus on how you experience each piece. What sounds, scents, or feelings come to mind? Many galleries or museums offer free or discounted admission during the summer, so this is a great time to check out something new! You may also consider bringing a notebook and jotting down your sensory impressions for a personal art diary.
Attend a Live Art Event
Whether it’s a local chalk art festival, community theater, or a public performance, July is peak season for art festivals and events. Get outside and witness creativity unfolding, just don’t forget sunscreen!
Create a Pop-Up Art Picnic
Pack your favorite sketchbook and snacks and head to a park with some friends or family to make art together, no skill required. Taking time to observe and sketch outside helps you slow down and appreciate natural beauty in a new way.
Try “Slow Looking” at a Single Artwork
Spend 10-15 minutes with one piece of art. Observe textures, shapes, and color shifts. This mindful approach often reveals surprising details and a deeper emotional connection.
Explore Art with Others’ Eyes
Ask a friend, sibling, or parent/guardian to choose a favorite piece of art and describe it to you. Their unique perspective may shift the way you see the work and spark fresh inspiration.
Make Art with Repurposed Summer Finds
Turn summer souvenirs into expressive mixed-media art. It’s tactile, sustainable, and sparks storytelling. Gather those shells from your beach vacation, tickets from a concert or amusement park, or any other token that will remind you of your summer adventure.
Set a Weekly Creative Intention
Each week, choose one way to experience art: listen to music inspired by visual artists, read a poem and respond with a sketch, or recreate a masterpiece using objects from home.
Art is all around you, waiting to be seen, felt, heard, and experienced. Whether you’re creating in a park, exploring a local gallery, or setting an intention, each moment is a chance to connect with your creativity in a new way. Keep experimenting, stay curious, and let this summer be your most art-filled yet.
About the author: Danielle Gapinski is a 4-H Youth Development Specialist in Creative and Cultural Arts. She provides leadership to the 4-H youth development program focusing on 4-H clubs, 4-H groups, and youth education initiatives. Danielle provides researched based educational programs geared towards art creation and performance, art careers, intersections of art and culture, art as a tool for wellness, advocacy, and education, and more.