The idea of artistic exploration deals with challenging societal norms and expressing yourself through your own creative process. Unfortunately, many people believe art is out of reach, too distant, exclusionary. Local artist Luke Armstrong wants to dispel these notions with his upcoming show “ART IS FOR EVERYONE”. It’s not just an opportunity to show his works but also a way to engage a variety of people no matter their previous exposure to the art world.
The show will be held at Cali Commons, a gallery in midtown and tied together with different calls for exploration. The first of these themes, “WE ARE ALL PEOPLE IN A RIVER OF TIME” is about how life and art relate to societal norms, or “currents”, and understanding when they are “beneficial and when they are not”. We don’t need to be confined to a single current, we can get outside the normal expectations of everyday life.
Other calls for exploration include, ‘A CAMERA CAN CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE‘, ‘FACE FEARS, FIND COURAGE IN OTHERS’ and ‘ULTIMATELY WE EACH DECIDE WHAT ART MEANS‘, you can see a series of life events unfolding and Armstrong embracing change. I asked him what he envisioned about the process of change, “I don’t expect any immediate, drastic change but more of a gradual period of understanding that could go on for years. Or, at least maybe it will turn out to be a good story.”
These art events won’t only be about paintings on a wall. Luke will also make a series of cards for each theme . They will be available to attendees in an effort to make art accessible at home and encourage interaction. Armstrong hopes the cards can be tangible objects used in everyday life. He adds, “they can be used as a primer for reflection, a conversation starter, or a new perspective for your own story.” A set of 5 cards will be made available for $15, a less expensive option than a painting, and something that encourages interaction in everyday life.
Documenting the various stages of self-discovery is important to Armstrong but making art accessible is his main goal. Encouraging others to express themselves and challenge their views is a way they can be empowered by the process of creating art. As we ended our interview Armstrong had this to say about the creative process, “If you don’t understand something, challenge yourself to understand it. If you believe in something, then find a compelling way to spread its message.” Luke Armstrong is trying to do just that with his own work, to find a way to define his own idea of creativity, and encourage the rest of us to do the same, but in our own way.
“ART IS FOR EVERYONE” opens Wednesday, March 19th – 7pm at Cali Commons – 518 N 40th St, Omaha. The closing reception is March 28th – 7pm at Cali Commons. RSVP on Facebook for the Opening | Closing
518 N 40th St
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 513-2321
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