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Artists deal with value all the time. To understand value as it relates to the visual artist, particularly the painter, is not much different than the way most of us look at value. Value is the range of light from darkest black to brightest white; shades of light.

Some of us when we think of value we associate it with benefits and risks; lights and darks of a situation. The use of value in creating a piece of art is not only with the use of black and white but the same shades of light can also be used with color. “Leonardo da Vinci once wrote ‘We shall set down white for the representative of light,’ which in practice meant if you want light add white.” (The Art Pack by Christopher Frayling, Helen Frayling, Ron Van der Meer.)

Let’s add some white to what the Art League Marco Island’s Center for the Arts means to our community.

The values of the organization may be as simple as black and white to some and to others may be defined in the rainbow of color. There are the obvious values, the brightest white values. According to a recent survey, the educational opportunities are number one; the chance for all to take classes in a multitude of media.

The Center for the Arts does not discriminate; there is a mirage of classes available for all ages and all levels. Note, statistics state including art in the development of children results in improved overall academic performance. Then there is the opportunity to see an ever changing gallery of exhibitions of art; meet artists; be exposed to their passions, expressions and individual styles and medium of choice. Of course there is the value of the Celebrate the Arts Festival, a free outdoor “concert of the arts” with music, antique cars, fine artists and artisans, and Kids Discover Art program.

Some values that have more color to them and may be easier to miss as they transition from one shade of blue to another. For example, the many outreach programs that provide the community with an awareness of the arts; the Art Talks program, run by volunteers who donate their time to discuss artists in classrooms at Tommie Barfield Elementary. There is the Scholarship program that provides so many aspiring artists with the chance to continue their education in the arts with funding provided by the Center for the Arts. There is the Miracle Three Program that allows us to outreach, through the United Arts Council of Collier County, to Manatee Elementary School with an after school program.

These are just a few bright aspects of having a Center for the Arts in our small community. Then there are the values that seem to be a bit black to some of us; those we may not always see. One that comes to mind is the value to the economy, your business and your property. Arts and culture in Collier County reach approximately one million visitors and audiences each year. Research has shown that cultural travelers spend more and stay longer. Experience shows that when searching for a community to live, lifestyle that includes arts and culture is a top determining factor. Okay, I’d be remiss in this current economical environment not to mention the money you save on gas just by having an art center right here in your own backyard!

Amazing still to me after almost five years of being involved in this organization is the amount of darkness that seems to exist in regards to the understanding that this organization and its facility is open to the public with free admission to visit the gallery spaces, gift shop, or to request a tour.

Once again this is a chance to examine and understand how the arts impact all aspects of our lives. Think about that rainbow and how the lightest values could become very dark, what you would be missing, without having this organization and facility. Maybe you want to make your values brighter, your colors lighter, express your appreciation, understanding or support by joining, taking a class, attending an event or oh, yeah! you can make a donation! Just imagine your world without the arts.

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Christine Neal is the executive director of Marco Island’s Center of the Arts. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree in the Liberal Arts with emphasis in the Fine Arts and various certifications and designations in business and the arts. An award winning artist, with 20-plus years in management and sales. Marco Island’s Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive 239-394-4221 mail@marcoislandart.com.