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Have you ever thought of art appreciation as a kind of wellness program?

In a time when so much pressure is placed on each person, we all need to find a release. I unfortunately never really figured out how to relax when I was working. I was always “on,” and so much of the time that I had an opportunity to relax and have fun, my mind was still working on a project.

Now that I am semi-retired, I am slowly beginning to figure out how to relax and appreciate the things around me. We are fortunate to have so much available to us in the Highland Lakes. 

Have you ever stopped and looked at the sculptures on Main Street and U.S. 281 in Marble Falls? If not, make a point to visit each one. The artists are telling a story through them, a fact I had not fully grasped till recently.

Art in the Hill Country provides a palate that most of us miss — music, painting and sculpture, not to mention the beauty of nature is available to all of us as we worry about the pressures we face daily. 

As I was strolling on Main Street, I started thinking about opportunities I had missed in my professional career. I spent some time in the Silicon Valley in California; even years ago, the beauty and relaxation accorded by nature was provided to the employees of many of the businesses. The lobbies of many of the companies hosted various displays, all in an attempt to get the employees to have a place to let off some steam in a high-pressure environment.

The James Avery ranch in the Hill Country uses the same concept to allow employees to have a release valve from the close, detailed work of crafting jewelry.  

These are types of wellness programs that use art and nature to help improve the work environment. 

With this in mind, what is a wellness program? It simply is a method to have your mind and body handle the pressures placed upon it. I think an appreciation of the arts can enhance the physical exercise we all need. There are so many opportunities available, including listening to a concert, really looking at the art in a gallery, standing back and gazing at the presentation of a piece of sculpture or simply taking in nature.

I talked to several people and asked if they were an active participant in an artistic endeavor. Most had ventured into some medium. My own family has members who paint, play musical instruments, do cross stitch or simply go and look at the various presentation options available to all of us.

As I did a self-assessment, I would have to rate myself as artistically challenged. I have limited musical ability, and I am not allowed to hold a paintbrush, but I do have a growing appreciation for the value of all kinds of art.  

In addition to the elements of the traditional definition of “the arts,” as an old gear-jammer I think that the classic autos ought to be added to the list of what constitutes artwork.  

I think that a beautifully restored 1957 Chevrolet is a work of art, or maybe it is just the memories it evokes in me.  

The bottom line is that we each have opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the arts, so don’t miss the chance to view some of the available pieces.  

Don’t forget to add art appreciation to your workout routine; just don’t expect it to be covered by your health insurance.


Russell is the former city manager of Marble Falls and now works with Burnet County as the subdivision coordinator.