From paintings to sculptures, songs and photographs – all forms of creating and expressing – art abounds on the Fresno City College Campus.

But what is art to FCC?

“Defining art is tough because it is so many things to me, “said Nanette Maki-Dearsan, instructor of art. “Mostly though, it is how I think and take information in a deep way.”

Maki-Dearsan also said that she communicates with herself through art. “Visual language is deeper and more full than spoken or written language,” she said.

“If you really think about it, what is not art?” said Larry Krauter, an instructor in the department of graphics at FCC. What is not art?

Elisha Mendez, a 19-year-old art major said that art is not confined and that it is simply about being expressive and free and about creating and feeling.

“It is an outlet. You can put hopes and anger in your art. Whether it is a painting or a sculpture, art is something deeper.” Simply put, art is freedom. It gives people a place to go when one needs to get away; when one needs to put what they feel into a piece of art rather than aiming anger or pain at a person.

Mendez also explains, “My life without art would be boring. If I go a day without painting or drawing, I feel weird. I have gone a long time without drawing or painting, but once I do, I don’t stop. It just takes you to another place.”

Art is underappreciated. “I think it is being de-emphasized in the schools, especially with the budget cuts and I think this is a huge mistake,” says Krauter. Budget cuts are affecting everything. However, when the government thinks of what to cut in school, the arts is the first thing in mind. It is never seen as something important because there are other major requirements such as math or science. Maki-Dearsan explains how terrible it is that the arts are always targeted and how art “Is how everything else becomes real to people.”

Nanette also said the reason why the arts are also slammed first is because the sciences and math are what our society desperately needs to compete in the global economy and the USA has not been staying on top of that. The de-emphasis of art in school is happening. The importance of it is known by most, but for the few who don’t see it this way, “Art is out there and it is a worthwhile pursuit in your life,” says Krauter.

One thing art is, is a feeling and a connection with what one puts into their own work. When one creates, they put their mind, heart, and soul into their creation. A piece of one’s self gets captured in the photo they took, song they composed, dance they choreographed or painting they painted.