You are on page 1of 14

Stansel 1

Lorin Stansel to be Verbs:118

Professor Hugetz

ENGL-1302. AHS05

20 April 2021

Causal/ Proposal/ Passion Redux Ratiocination 1

My name is Lorin Stansel, and I am an aspiring artist that lives in Alvin Texas. Not many

people in the Alvin community know the benefits of the arts in society and how they make up

our daily lives. When people think of art, the first thing that pops into their head is usually

drawing or painting, but art goes beyond just those things alone. Since unemployment,

deteriorating health, little opportunities, and poor education are causing poverty in the Alvin

community, then people should take a stand and address this issue through producing art that is

viewed in the public eye, to bring people’s attention. As an aspiring artist, I want the people of

Alvin to know there is more to art than just drawing or painting, and how it can have a positive

impact in our community during a pandemic such as COVID-19. Art is part of our culture; it

makes up our daily lives. Art helps us to think outside of the box, freely express ourselves, and

develop thinking skills. So, if you think you know what art is and what it is all about, or by

saying it is not very important and does not make an impact, you might want to think again. My,

Not, When, Since, As, Art, So

Hundreds of people a day lose their jobs and it has become even more so because of the

Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) bringing an uprise in cases across communities in the

United States. Due to unemployment, it is causing a dramatic increase in poverty rates which are

negatively impacting small communities such as Alvin. With many people getting sick and the
Stansel 2

restrictions or temporary shutdowns of businesses, many of them have went out of business and

had to lay-off workers. According to the University of Minnesota article, “US Job Losses due to

COVID-19 Highest Since Great Depression” by Stephany Soucheray, that the US had lost 20.6

million jobs since March and resulted unemployment rates of 14.7%. This comes to show that

throughout the year many more will lose their jobs. For each person that loses their job, they can

be faced with no other means in paying bills or providing for their families, which results in them

falling into poverty. Hundreds, Due, With, According, This, For

With many cases of unemployment rates skyrocketing across the US, this also contributes

to many of those people developing health issues from the result of poverty. It is known that

those who are living in situations of poverty develop stress,mental health issues, or dirty habits

from living in a dirty environment. A article from Science Direct entitled, “Unemployment and

Health: The Review,” by S.H Wilson, shows that men have a greater reduction in phycological

well-being, depression, and anxiety, but an increase in smoking and alcohol intake. As for

families, they are put at a high risk of phycological stress break downs. This means that people

who are living in poverty because of unemployment have a higher chance of developing

phycological and depression symptoms. Because of COVID-19 leaving many communities in

poverty, there will be a dramatic increase in people suffering from mental health issues. With, It,

A, As, This, Because

Because of many jobs limiting staff in their business, when it comes to choosing a new

staff worker, they tend to be selective on the ones who have a good education or job experience,

this limits the opportunities for those trying to find jobs which contribute to an increase in

poverty. In the Alvin community, COVID-19 has made it challenging to find jobs that are
Stansel 3

willing to hire. Which results in many people having to travel to different communities or cities

in search for work. In April 2020, part-time workers experienced an unemployment rate twice

that of their full-time counter parts, and workers without a college degree experienced worse

unemployment by 21.2% (Falk). With their being a large amount of people without college

degrees or high education in small communities, this makes it harder for them to find jobs. This

means that those with college degrees are more likely to be hired than those without college

degrees, thus, limiting jobs and higher paying opportunities for those with no college degrees.

Because, In, Which, This, With

As education plays a major role to society in finding higher paid jobs, not everyone gets

the best type of education that will help them in succeeding to get those jobs when living in

poverty. For families that have lost their jobs or are unemployed who may have children in

school or college, it can result in their children having to help find a way in making a living,

which may result in them dropping out of school, or the school not treating them fairly because

of their circumstances. An article from The Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy

Studies entitled, “Aspiring Administrators’ Knowledge and Leadership Capacity to Mitigate

Issues of Poverty and Homelessness in Schools” by Heidi B. Von Dolan, states that students who

are experiencing homelessness or poverty face challenges in educational disparities, fewer

resources, qualifies teachers, and low level classes, which contribute to opportunity gaps. This

meaning that poorer communities are not receiving an equal opportunity education as of those in

better off neighborhoods. Therefore, it will be harder to find higher paying jobs for the children

living in these poorer areas, which will leave many of them continuing to struggle. As, For, An,

This, Therefore
Stansel 4

Although the issue of unemployment and poverty in communities have been addressed on

the news and through talk shows, it does not necessarily mean that people will take action to help

prevent the issue, they may need a visual that has an expressive/ emotion concept through art that

they can relate. The Great Depression of 1930 left more than half of American Citizens without

jobs, but it was because of artist’s spreading awareness of the issue that it helped the US get back

on its feet. With unemployment digging the massive hole in the Alvin community leading to

poverty because of COVID-19, creating art around the community to reveal the issues it is facing

with poverty, illnesses, poor education, and the lack of opportunity provided because of

unemployment can help to bring awareness. Although, The, With

Getting engaged in art by creating murals or chalk art around the community can help to

spread awareness and understanding to the situation they are facing. Artist Willie Baronet, a

creative director is known for working to establish a high standard performance for his

community and as an artist against poverty, which started with his project called “We Are All

Homeless.” Baronet started with collecting signs from the homeless to bring awareness and

understanding of their issues, focusing on their moral challenges of those and higher

socioeconomic positions. Because of COVID-19, there has been a significant uprise in the

homeless that is not being stressed enough. By making Murals around the community, it helps

people pay attention and connect better with the images’ messages, which can bring light to

helping and doing more for the community. Getting, Artist, Baronet, Because

Producing murals to be displayed on sidewalks and sides of buildings that are in the

public view is a great way to catch people’s attention. Those at home during the pandemic can

experiment with making chalk murals on the sidewalk or in their driveway, that way the art can
Stansel 5

be viewed and enjoyed by their neighbors and may even inspire them to try it themselves. After

people make their chalk art, they can even post it online and start a hashtag: Art Against Poverty

COVID-19. Doing this can help inspire and make others more aware. I believe this proposal is

more feasible than some because it is something everyone can do, not just limited to artist.

Anyone can make a difference and inspire others around them through creating art to express

world-wide events. Producing, Those, After, Doing, I, Anyone

People do not have to be the greatest artists to inspire change, it is the simple act of

creating something that person wants to create, which is visible to others around them. This

could easily be implanted by simply getting with a group of friends or family and make chalk art.

They can draw anything that’s on their mind or that might be stressing them and express it by

showing it through a chalk mural. Or one can write out a message saying things like, “Thank you

our doctors for everything you have done through COVID-19” or “Black Lives Matter.” With

just a few people spreading these simple messages, it can inspire others to take part and create a

movement to end the problems people see the community. People, This, They, Or, With
Stansel 6

Art is a creative activity that helps people to express themselves, their emotions, and

imaginative or technical skill. It can express an idea, and emotion, or a world view. It makes up

today’s society and helps to bring life into communities all around the world. Let’s just say

someone asks or talks about the subject of art. The first thing a person would think of having to

do with art would be drawing or painting, but there are so many more forms of art that people are

unaware of in society. Without art and the creativity that comes with it, the world would not be

as advanced and expressive as it is today. Art, It, The, Without

Art helps people develop in the sense of everyday life. One way art helps to develop

creative skills is, it lets people think outside the box. When a person can express and experiment

freely in creating art, it builds their inner wiring of innovation. Art also helps develop decision-

making.

It enhances observation, curiosity, exploration, creativity, and free expression. It helps to

develop expressive communication, critical thinking skills, and foster an inquisitive attitude

towards learning and knowledge. Art, One, When, It

Throughout history, people have used art to communicate without relying on words. It can

express political ideas, reinforce religion, or convey deeply personal thoughts. Art communicates

in different ways, including through symbols or allegory, in which a figure stands for an abstract

idea. Throughout, It, Art

I am a senior at Alvin High School, and all my life I have been extremely invested in the

arts, especially band, art, and design. Ever since I was a baby, I have always loved to draw.

While growing up I remember my mother would buy tons of tall roles of light brown
Stansel 7

construction paper and would roll it out onto the kitchen table or floor and would let me draw

away for hours. Throughout school, while taking different art classes learning more about the

different types of art, I became more aware about the history, different cultures, languages, and

places where they originated from, and it benefits and impacts it has in the world. Because of

this, it opened my eyes to the big world that I never actually got out to see and experience.

Whether it was drawing, painting, playing music, or making things out of trash or recycled

objects, art has always been a major piece of my life that has shaped me into who I am today. I,

Ever, Throughout, Because, Whether

Not many people know the benefits of the arts in society and how they make up our daily

lives.  When people think of art, the first thing that pops into their head is usually drawing or

painting, but those small 2 things are not even half of what makes up art. As an aspiring artist, I

want people to know that there is more to art than just drawing or painting. Art is part of our

culture, it makes up our daily lives, it can be the things we see, hear, smell, feel, and taste that are

around us. It helps people to think outside of the box, freely express oneself, learn, develop

expression and thinking skills. So, if you think you know what art is and what it is all about, you

might want to think again if you were going to say just Drawing or Painting. Not, When, As, Art,

It, So

Art influences people to get out in the world and do things, and changes opinions that

help to come up with new ideas for the better of society. The ideas people brainstorm and come

up with, help to build new perspectives and to better the world. Art, The

There are many ways Art impacts society and the community. Art can help to uncover

global issues and problems in the community, along with impacts on the environment. Painting
Stansel 8

murals on buildings and billboards, is one of them. People like to express themselves and their

emotions though painting. People are so caught up in their personal life, with going to work,

being with their families, or having fun, that they might not be aware of the underlying problems

around them or in the world, such as poverty, de-forestation, or sexual harassment. Art can help

to detect and uncover these issues in society and can cause change. It shows people that the

situation is bigger than themselves, and that they are part of a global community, this helps to

motivate people to engage in their community and take action to bring more awareness on the

issues so they can be resolved. For instance, a simple mural of starving children can cause a

global awareness, and through that, people can raise money for food to go to starving children in

communities, or provide shoes, clean water, and other resources to help benefit them. There, Art,

Painting, People, It, For

Architecture exists to create the physical environment in which people live, but

architecture is more than just the built environment, it is also a part of our culture. There are all

different types of architecture, especially in different countries, because of their cultural up-

bringing. It stands as a representation of how we see ourselves, as well as how we see the world.

It helps us to function and feeds our curiosity and fascination of the world and different cultures.

Almost anywhere you go, you will see some sort of architectural forms; houses, bridges,

landscapes, buildings, skyscrapers, etc. Besides its design appeal and cultural upbringing, as the

world is growing in numbers now more-than-ever, buildings and homes are essential to have and

always will be, because people need shelter and a place to live. They need places to work and

places to walk or move around. Within those structures, they need clean running water, and

electricity to see and a heater to keep warm. Architecture is more than the appeal to citizens; it is
Stansel 9

the design of helping society to function. Architecture, There, it, Almost, Besides, They, Within,

Architecture

In our everyday lives, we are surrounded by ceramics and glass. The houses or

apartments one might live in or the place people work may have been built with bricks, mortar,

cement, concrete, and ceramic tiling for the interior. Pottery helps people to express their

creativity, which is essentially to expand who we are and how we connect to ourselves and the

environment. It is a good way for people of all ages to explore the things they can do. In, The,

Pottery, It

A good movie can entertain, educate, and inspire people in different ways. They can

make us think or even find compassion, depending on the movie genera. Movies are a basic part

of us and how we live. They are a mirror of what we believe and how we coexist with others by

showing how we express ourselves through watching others’ actions. Films can be set or

developed in a particular culture, and because of the development of different auto-translations,

people from all over the world can enjoy films. Besides films mirroring diverse cultures and

interactions, it also has a strong hold of shifting our beliefs on subjects. An example that is found

most common in today’s generation is when people copy fashion trends, usually from movie

stars or artists/celebrities. Films/ video has become the most used form of communication for

almost all people. Everyone now days gets their info from the internet or videos online. One of

the most common places we get information from is on the News stations, which mostly gives

information on state or world-wide events taking place. A, They, Movies, Films, Besides, An,

Films, Everyone, One


Stansel 10

One of the most popular forms of entertainment people listen to is music. Music

stimulates the brain and releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine, which helps us feel

good/ pleasure. Some of the most common genres of music people listen to are pop, country, rap,

classical, and electronic. Listening to music the type of music someone enjoys, brightens their

mood patterns, which helps people stay in a positive mood or keeps them engaged. It is obvious

that music brings a huge relief to our everyday lives and impact on our moods but listening alone

is not the only way of stimulating the brain. Learning to play a classical Instrument can also have

this impact. Playing a instrument enhances and turns on the brains senses, especially the visual;

processes information, statistics, and pattern. Auditory; processes sound. and motor areas; plan,

control, and perform movements. It is also known that playing an instrument enhances a person’s

memory, because it makes you use both sides on the brain instead of only using one. One, Music,

Some, Listening, It, Learning, Playing

Taking photos is one of the most common forms of art in society that many people perform.

People often take photos to capture images that may have importance to them and keep them as

memories for the far future, or as that one famous saying about a photograph goes- “Photographs are

memories frozen in time.” They can even be a memento/ keepsake for some, that a person may pass

down for generations to tell a story. A photograph can inspire someone, reverse viewpoints, and

inspire others to act. They can even invoke people and their emotions, such as fear, or anxiety.

Photos hold a very powerful message or can be viewed in certain ways when people run across it. It

can even affect the public as well. The news is a big benefactor for contributing to changing opinions

and viewpoints through using photographs people have taken or sent in of events taking place across

the world, or in just a small community. Taking, People, They, A, Photos, It, The
Stansel 11

If there is one thing that everyone likes to do on their day off: especially when geared

toward women, it would be going shopping! Fashion benefits society in promoting creativity and

affects our social aspect on life. It is a way to express our personalities, feelings, moods, and

reflects who they are and why they choose to wear what they wear. Leaching off how fashion

expresses oneself, it also shows and transcends cultures. No-matter what we choose to wear on

our bodies, theirs meaning behind it. Clothes are the Social Skin of who we are as individuals in

society. If, Fashion, Leaching, No-matter, Clothes

All people need to eat to survive and let’s face it, who doesn't love food and going out to

eat once in a while? On an individual level, we all grow up eating food of our cultures. It can tell

others where you come from and/ or how you live your everyday life. Many of us associate the

food we ate as a child with good memories and family. That food may hold a special value to

that person’s life, so in days of stress or discomfort, that food becomes their comfort food. All,

On, It, Many, That

Art Therapy is a technique fixed on the idea that creative expression can promote healing

and mental wellbeing. It helps people to engage in the creative process of the arts, to help

explore people’s emotions, cope with stress, develop self-awareness, boost self-esteem, and

social skills. It is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, promote self-esteem

and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, improve social skills, reduce

and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change. Art therapy is a

effective method of healing that all adults, and children should consider, and can be extremally

beneficial to those who struggle with depression and anxiety. Art, It


Stansel 12

Works Cited

Gene Falk, “Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief.” Congressional

Reseach Service, 2021, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R46554.pdf. 9 March 2021.

“Homelessness in the Untied States: The federal Government’s Annual Census of Housed

People.” Congressional Digest, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=142699354&site=ehost-live. 6 March 2021.

S.H. Wilson, G.M. Walker, “Unemployment and health: The Review.” Science Direct, 1993,

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0033350605804366. 8 March 2021.

Stephanie Soucheray, “US Job Losses Due to COVID-19 Highest since Great Depression.”

CIDRAP, 8 May 2020, www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2020/05/us-job-losses-due-

covid-19-highest-great-depression. 24 March 2021.

Von Dohlen HB, Moore J, Von Dohlen LJ, Thrift BE, “Aspiring Administrations’ Knowledge

and Leadership Capacity t oissues of Poverty and Homelessness in Schools.” Journal of

Educational Leadership and policy Studies. 2019, vol 3, no 2.

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1233793&site=ehost-live. 6 March 2021.


Stansel 13

List of Audio/Visuals for Redux Website

Home Page:

 Picture of people joining hands.

 Stickers to make page welcoming.

 Button to Causal (Problem)

Causal Page:

 Pictures of problems in the world.

 Stickers

 Button to Proposal (Solution)

Proposal Page:

 Pictures of people doing art.

 Stickers

 Button to passion project

Passion Project page:

 Pictures of art/murals
Stansel 14

Feedback page:

 Picture of art helping community.

Additional Information included on Passion Project

Blog:

 Dark Petals Ceramic Piece

 Discovering Architecture

 Big Art Day at AHS

 Making a Custom Bleached T-Shirt

You might also like