Lakeview High School has a new opportunity: take art leave art. The new TALA display box was constructed and donated by Denise Rubano, Ohio Living – Lake Vista, and Christopher Milo during the 2023 school year. The purpose is to encourage Lakeview students and the community to share drawings, writings, and other cultural art pieces for display on the box. The only rule set in place is by taking a piece of art, you must leave a piece on display.
Lake Vista is displaying the boxes around Cortland and Bazetta. Locations include Lake Vista, Cortland Branch Library, and now Lakeview High School. Other communities are implementing the idea of art boxes, the purpose being to bring the community together.
Lawrence Herrholtz explains, “It’s kinda a way for our local artists to exchange art. The benefit of that is that you never know who is going to pick up the art and students can get their names out there.”
For those who want to further pursue art, it is a great opportunity for locals to get their name out. Many Lakeview students have high creative ability and the desire to inspire others through their work. The best part about the art box is inspiring many different forms of art whether it be paintings, sketches, culture, and even taking a different approach, writing. The box presents a multitude of artwork to pique the interest of many people in the community. The art box gives students a chance to display their work, get recognized by others, and inspire creativity.
The art box isn’t just for those who want to get their name out there, but to share creativity. Sharing creativity and a love for art among community members. The box gives many a view to look forward to and even for older generations to share their love with newer generations. The first pieces of art placed in the box were by two women suffering from dementia.
The women were able to leave a piece of themselves with the younger generations, who have already persuaded the purpose of the box and have brought in additional artwork for others to look at or even replace.
With the idea of the art box being new, it has yet to take off with tremendous amounts of artwork. Many do not know or understand the box. With more art being added, it could have a great impact on the community and Lakeview students.
Herrholtz states, “I think cultural icons take time and they happen naturally. We just put the box in and once the idea of the box, the purpose is, to see the benefits, and overall sense of community, once that happens I do believe it will be an honor for the art to be displayed and exchanged. Over time I think it will get to that point.”
Although the box has yet to be a huge hit among Lakeview students the community members have taken a huge part in getting it going.
Lakeview Art teacher Jeff Piper states, “I like to see the community rallying for the visual arts and doing something fun that brings awareness to Cortland. I know a couple pieces I have grabbed have been by the same artist, it seems to me like people in the community are enjoying it and it’s neat for them to get their work out. I have entered a few pieces myself which have all been taken and the box can give the community art to look at or even give you a piece to hang in your bedroom.”
The art box will be an asset to Lakeview Students and community members. The box allows for displaying self-expression as well as inspiring creativity among the members who participate. Even for those not replacing the art, it gives them the ability to look forward to upcoming pieces for them to enjoy seeing.
