Creative Sparks and Artistic Inspiration

by Sally Shuffield, Community Coordinator

Thoreau wrote, “Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.” These words describe the special relationship between nature and those who create. At Durango Nature Studies, we believe in the importance of getting people outdoors so they can connect with the natural world.

But, why do we do this?

According to Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, and others studying the phenomenon, “Nature Deficit Disorder,” it is imperative that children spend time outdoors, especially now when the world is overrun by technology more and more every day.

Children and adults learn by sensory exposure to a subject, and as many scientists, activists, and naturalists understand, the way people learn to care about the future of the natural world is to first love it. Positive, early experiences outdoors help to create this lifelong connection.

However, I believe there is another, equally important reason to expose children and adults to the magnificence of the natural world - to create inspiration for art, music, and literature. In addition to my work with DNS, I am a touring singer/songwriter and was an artist in residence with the San Juan National Forest. I am often asked where the inspiration for my songs comes from. I reply that words come to me most often when I am sitting alone in nature.

As an artist, I truly believe that listening and connecting to the energy of the natural world generates a creative spark in each of us. This spark is one of the greatest gifts we can give to children. It is also something we can reintroduce adults to through events, venues, and support.

To honor nature’s role in creativity and inspire youth and adults to tap into their own creative potential, DNS is reinventing Wild Words as a celebration of nature and the arts. The ongoing series will include music, authors, film, and lectures – each focused on enhancing opportunities for the community to be exposed to and inspired by those who create through nature’s inspiration.

Our first Wild Words event this year will be a celebration of songwriters. Held at the Abbey Theater on February 9, I will be joining songwriters Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin from Austin, TX, as we share stories and experiences that have influenced our songwriting. Danny is also the winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival’s Songwriting Contest.

Our relationship with the natural world can guide us on an amazing journey of exploration into our own creativity. It is a relationship worth nurturing – now and throughout our lives.

(Visit www.durangonaturestudies.org to learn more, hear song clips from the songwriters, or see a calendar of upcoming Wild Words events.)