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  Listen to the Podcast   Cityscape It is a known fact that art is therapeutic in many ways than we may know. From mesmerizing strokes, myriad of expressions enrich our experiences of the oft mundane world we live in. At its core, fine art serves, not only as a thing of beauty to be admired, but a reflection of the complexities, triumphs and tribulations of humanity. Whether a painting, sculpture, poetry, music or dance … the power of arts is rich and immense. It evokes emotions, provoke thoughts, and spark conversations. Fine art transcends boundaries and speaks a universal language. It has always been a catalyst for cultural exchange, bridging the gaps that exist in the human interactions. Through art, we gain insights into different perspectives, histories, and appreciation that there is unity in our diversities in this interconnected world. THERAPEUTIC Serenity  Art is therapeutic – numerous studies show that art reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while enha...

Naandeyé García Villegas, Mexican artist who uses her creativity for social commentary. Naandeyé García Villegas’ earliest memories of delving into creative pursuits were ‘drawing’ letters on the earliest known Word program. The palette had a choice of four fonts and black and white colors to fill – minimalism driven by technology. “Since I was a child, I had a special interest in art. I drew a lot. I drew all the time,” Villegas said. “I loved the color and the letters. “When I was eight years old, my parents bought me a computer and a printer,” she said. “At that time, computers still didn’t have design programs, but mine had one installed where you could write things (I guess it was a kind of Word). It was just typography. I used to spend whole afternoons making signs, ‘designing’ them, then printing them, and finally, coloring on top of them (it had all kinds of markers, colors, watercolors, oil, etc.),” she said. This was the first taste of design for Villegas. A great deal has ch...

Digital display of Mother, oil on canvas painting by Natalya Gudovich, at Palettes of Harmony - a showcase of Russian art at ArtBeats 5 at Legacy Suite, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. “The essence of this poem…,” said Aleksei Sazanov, head of consular section, Embassy of the Russian Federation in Jamaica, “ … is that love is unconditional …” Sazanov was giving context and translation of ‘Wait for Me’, a poem by Konstantin Simonov about a soldier who is going to war and is telling his love to wait for him. His words seemingly summed up the evening of November 25 at Legacy Suite, The Jamaica Pegasus hotel – for love flowed in many forms. Russia – a country which is dotted with famous landmarks – from St Petersburg to Moscow, from the ballet to the opera, there is rich art history embedded in her DNA. It was the night of ‘Palettes of Harmony’ – a first-of-its-kind event showcasing Russian fine art – a collaboration between the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Jamaica with Osmosis ...