Connect Through Art

Now tell the truth, the JAWS theme still makes your spine tingle, doesn’t it? The first time I watched the movie, I didn’t go back into the ocean for the rest of the summer. Maybe a bit less spine-tingling is Moby Dick – considered one of the classics of literature. Indeed, as a high school student, chances are that you have read, are reading, or are on your way to reading Moby Dick. Our purpose is not to offer literary criticism, but rather, to point out that the majority of the novel takes place near, in, on and, tragically for Captain Ahab and the crew of the Pequot, under the ocean.

A Starring Role

The ocean has served as the setting for thousands of films, novels, poems, short stories, children’s books, paintings, posters, and photographs, making it one of the most common themes in the visual and written arts. And why not?  It contains everything you need for drama, suspense, tragedy, comedy, and beauty. But the importance of art to the ocean goes well beyond mere entertainment value, as art is primarily a means of communication. As such, it can have a tremendous impact on whatever the artist chooses to focus on, including the health and well-being of the ocean. If you doubt this, take a moment and think of how a photo of a seabird covered in oil or a turtle tangled up in plastic can spur even the most passive of us to make a donation, sign a petition, or support a cause.

Career or Hobby

Of all the different paths to the ocean, art is the one that is most likely to be pursued as both a career and a hobby. It is also the most accessible, as you are limited only by your imagination. And with the software that often comes preloaded on your computer, you can create your own professional movies, self-published books, and multi-media productions. With all the platforms available for showing your work, you no longer need to be a “professional” to get your art in front of an audience. So much like that picture of the seabird or the turtle, you have the opportunity to influence how we treat the ocean.

Snapshots

We understand, however, that at some point, most of us will need to earn a living, so being able to turn your interest into a career would be the best-case scenario. After all, while there are lots of platforms to show your work, it is difficult to be the one to cut through all the noise and have your artistic creation the one that goes viral. In order to help you understand what your prospects for a career as an artist might be, we take a look at some of the ways to connect to the ocean through art and show you the path you can take through high school, college, and beyond to achieve your dream of becoming an artist.