6 Reasons Why Art Museums Create Good Health

San Juan Islands Museum of Art. Contributed Image

By San Juan Islands Muse­um of Art

Being cooped up in our homes for many weeks, being on alert to main­tain social dis­tanc­ing and not being able to trav­el or see rel­a­tives is stress­ful. We could all need some time to decom­press and reduce anxiety.

Vis­it­ing an art muse­um is a relax­ing and serene way to find some peace in our lives. Dis­cov­er the many ways art enrich­es lives at the San Juan Islands Muse­um of Art.

1. Peo­ple are hap­pi­er hav­ing and reliv­ing a pleas­ant expe­ri­ence is rat­ed high­er than buy­ing goods; so say numer­ous studies.
2. Vis­it­ing muse­ums can enliv­en your dis­cus­sions at ZOOM cock­tail hours with friends and help fuel your dis­cus­sions at oth­er social gath­er­ings. Art muse­ums offer a vari­ety of sub­jects that tran­scend cul­tur­al boundaries.
3. Look at the world dif­fer­ent­ly! Expand your hori­zons as art allows you to change per­spec­tives. At SJIMA until Dec. 7, Sam Stubblefield’s exhib­it- SPACE, MUSES, ETC. demon­strates how tech­nol­o­gy inter­acts with ideas to cre­ate art. Every piece of art tells a sto­ry where you can put your­self in the artist’s shoes and expe­ri­ence some of their emotions.
4. We all learn cre­ativ­i­ty and have fun via the arts-espe­cial­ly kids. Try a pan­dem­ic sur­vival kit and take advan­tage of the SJIMA take-away Fam­i­ly Art Packs. The whole house­hold can par­tic­i­pate safe­ly in your own home. Go to www.sjima.org to “Learn” to find more details.
5. Qui­et­ly view­ing beau­ti­ful works of art and con­tem­plat­ing their mean­ing is like tak­ing time to med­i­tate on your own life and find peace and tranquility.
6. Exhibits make you smarter as they inspire inter­est in an item, time peri­od, or a new idea. There is much to learn from the infor­ma­tion asso­ci­at­ed with each show. The mis­sion of SJIMA is to cham­pi­on that which makes our islands unique trea­sures while encour­ag­ing learn­ing and enrich­ing the community.

Vis­it an art muse­um to relax, learn, have fun and leave with a lighter heart.

SJIMA is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri­day-Mon­day. Admis­sion is $10 and free to mem­bers and those 18 and under. Mon­days are Pay As You Can Days.

SJIMA is locat­ed at 540 Spring Street in Fri­day Har­bor, Wash­ing­ton. See www.sjima.org for more information.

COVID pre­cau­tions and pro­ce­dures are in effect. If you do not have a mask, SJIMA will pro­vide one.

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