Amiallana Justus 
Friends and family gather at Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with creativity and music for the the 13th Annual Uptown Art Exposition.
This free festival featured 140 artists showcasing and selling photography, pottery, glass, jewelry, mosaics, sculpture, paintings, and more keeping the audience entertained.
This exposition also highlights the popular Chalk Street Artists where high school art students and qualified chalk artists showcase their pieces at the park for everyone to see.
Art has been proven to lower stress levels and induces a flow state of meditation and focus. With this event, the Orlando community is given the opportunity to explore their creative side and express themselves freely.
Through drawing, chalk art, or painting, people can embody complex feelings such as depression or anxiety that could be hard to explain through words.
Letting Creatives Express Themselves Through Art
Art is the freedom of expression, and it collectively brings together artists who are passionate about their work and want to share it with the world.
“Art is about expressing your soul and I look at it as God gave me a gift and I’m using it.” said Kurt Meister, artist curator. “As long as you’re doing what you love, you’ll always find a happy medium in art because it brings different kinds of emotions to your life.”
Art allows individuals to process their emotions on a deeper level and communicate ideas spiritually, emotionally, or philosophically while creating a sense of beauty for the audience to enjoy.
“When you’re in the middle of painting, emotions are high,” said Meister. When I’m getting into the painting, I’ve gone to another planet and have even wept while I painted because the emotions I was feeling were just that intense.”
While some buy paintings for wall decoration, others are simply inspired by the artist’s talent and the joy it brings.
“The creative energy of art is what brings artwork together and strikes people to buy it due to an emotional impact it has on different individuals,” said Meister. “The biggest challenge I’ve had is trying to find that medium of creating for yourself and having people appreciate it too.”
Lisa Stanbery, Co-Owner of MC Abstract Art, said there’s no mistakes when choosing to create an art piece because the beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder.
“All you need is a piece of white canvas and you just start using your mind to create anything you want,” said Stanbery. “There’s no way to make a mistake because you can just paint over it and fix it. With abstract art especially, there’s no boundaries and you think of the Worshach test where you can turn it 10 different ways and they look different every time. Just get some paint and start creating.”
Engaging in art also enhances problem-solving skills with brain development in young children and teaches them critical information about how to manage emotions and behaviors.
“Art will always make you feel a certain way and we all have homes and offices that we need to decorate, so why not bring something that gives you a sense of joy or calmness, depending on what the art work is that you do,” said Stanbery. “For me I’m about bold colors and that’s what makes me happy because you can choose what type of art to have in your environment to match your own personality.”
“Art means everything to me because everything in the world is made out of art,” said Stanbery. “Our buildings, our drawings, and even our styles with the way we look and dress is a creative outlet we all have. Art is what the eye sees and everyone is different so people see beauty in diverse ways.”
This art exhibit helped to shape the minds of young creatives in the Central Florida Community.
For more information on the 13th Annual Uptown Art Exposition, visit HERE.
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