Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Professor Hugetz
ENGL-1302. AHS05
20 April 2021
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,
Hundreds of people a day lose their jobs and it has become even more so because of 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
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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
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
poverty, there will be a dramatic increase in people suffering from mental health issues. With, It,
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
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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.
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
Issues of Poverty and Homelessness in Schools” by Heidi B. Von Dolan, states that students who
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
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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
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
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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
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
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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
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.
develop expressive communication, critical thinking skills, and foster an inquisitive attitude
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
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
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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,
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
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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,
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
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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
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,
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,
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
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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
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,
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
Works Cited
Gene Falk, “Unemployment Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: In Brief.” Congressional
“Homelessness in the Untied States: The federal Government’s Annual Census of Housed
S.H. Wilson, G.M. Walker, “Unemployment and health: The Review.” Science Direct, 1993,
Stephanie Soucheray, “US Job Losses Due to COVID-19 Highest since Great Depression.”
Von Dohlen HB, Moore J, Von Dohlen LJ, Thrift BE, “Aspiring Administrations’ Knowledge
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
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