Originally posted on June 15, 2016 @ 7:36 am
Traveling is all about seeing new places, meeting new people, trying new food, and absorbing different cultures. But sometimes, if you get lost in the shuffle of those ideas, you miss out on simply the focused concept of art as a point of interest.
Your visual sensors may be so caught up with the other aspects of the trip, that you may quite easily forget to just sit back and look at the art that presents itself, or maybe even find out how to involve yourself in the visually creative process at your destination. Consider the five following travel tips to enjoy your next trip from this artistic standpoint.
Find Information About Artistic Events
In every community around the world, there are artists and there are art companies that add to community presence. If you’ve just arrived at your travel destination, consider learning about these people or companies that have put their fingerprints (figuratively and literally!) on the culture that is present, either through putting up their own artwork around town, or perhaps sponsoring community events was art where the centerpiece.
Visit Museums and Galleries
Before you even leave from your point of origin, look to see if there are art galleries or museums open where you’re headed to. One of the fastest (often often least expensive) ways of quickly absorbing a new area is to see what local artists have created through the years, and see what has become classic, and see also what sort of collections have been brought together for more curated environments (like the famous art galleries that bring seasonal showcases to certain museums as a traveling gallery).
Sign Up For Painting Events
And on the opposite side of seeing classical works, but as an equally artistic endeavor, you can sign up for a painting class at your destination. These are often offered as ‘painting and dinner’ or ‘painting and wine’ classes, and not only do they let you get your hands dirty creating art on your own, it’s also a great way to meet local people.
Take a Camera
And though visual art from a museum perspective is often about painting or brushwork, you can also jump into the artistic mindset simply by taking a good camera with you. If you plan on actually printing your shot out, you’ll take some extra time to really pay attention to your picture-taking, and you’ll be creating cool art in the process.
Look For Urban Street Art
And in urban areas, some of the most interesting artwork that you’ll often see will be all around you in the form of street art and graffiti. There are spectacular artists all around the world that work on building, walls, and murals, and offer a unique glimpse into different cultures.