This year’s Canterbury Arts Conference (CArtsCon) proved a great success, with exhibitors from around the globe showcasing their work both in person and online. The theme “Art: Building Bridges” drew creatives from a broad spectrum of disciplines whose work focused on demonstrating how artistic creativity can enable cross-cultural understanding, while helping us make connections within our everyday lives in ways that support integration for both individual and community.
The speakers covered areas ranging from history to neuroscience:
Community-building through the arts was the focus in the kickoff speech from Dr David Stokes. Dr Pamela Hatton shared case studies of art therapy for dementia sufferers, and Dr Urs Hauenstein opined about a new approach to life in the 21st century.
Dr Ildiko Solti described how Elizabethan stage-craft built bridges between actors and their audience; Dr Maria Dremina focused on how art ‘builds bridges’ in the brain – supporting cognitive function, smart thinking, idea flow, and wholistic development. Markus Feichter persuaded us to change tack with how we see schools.
From a social perspective, Barrister Ire Ogueche of Nigeria gave a fascinating talk on the art of mask making and masquerades as mediums for social change, and Sasha Utami (with colleague Jemima) discussed the way dance could be used as an educational tool to bridge cultural diversity and differences.
Those who attended #CArtsCon2021 were left inspired by the bridges that art can build, and we look forward next year’s conference when we hope even more will be able to take part in this exciting project in person.
