Local Arts Benefit Residents of Clayton, Richmond Heights

John D. Rockefeller III said: "The arts are not for the privileged few but for the many. Their place is not on the periphery of daily life but at its center." Residents of Clayton and Richmond Heights are indeed located at an artistic center with access to a highly varied selection of art venues and choices, many of them important on a national level.

It is our goal at Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch to bring you arts coverage that informs, captivates and compels you to participate, and there are plenty of opportunities that will enrich our lives.

With Washington University, residents have access not only to the university's productions in drama, music, fine arts and dance, but also the Edison Theater and its exciting Ovations Series.

The St. Louis Artists' Guild offers wonderful gallery exhibitions and educational opportunities with classes in drawing, sketching and painting for adults and children.

Several arts experiences are available from the city of Clayton, including many art galleries, antique shops and a self-guided public art tour with a map and printable fact sheet available on the city's Web site.

Likewise, the city of Richmond Heights offers special events throughout the year.

Expand the arts scene to include Forest Park right across the street and you now have The Muny, Jewel Box, Missouri History Museum, the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and the world-class St. Louis Art Museum.

And let's not forget Clayton's own St. Louis Art Fair, held in September. The community is rich with art.

A vibrant arts community is an economic driver that can result in jobs, increased government revenue, tourism and even a boost in property values. These are measurable benefits.

But what about the aesthetic ones? What do the arts give us as people?

Art gives us perspective and focus, and we are drawn to it for pleasure and emotional stimulation. It sometimes allows us forget about our everyday problems for a brief time — or, as Picasso put it, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."

Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch will be an important resource about local arts events. We'll feature stories and reviews that you simply won't see anywhere else, and this helps create community cohesiveness.

We're a place where you'll find thoughtful coverage of the local arts scene.

Arts organizations provide experiences to residents and increase their quality of life.

"We present exciting and dynamic theater that residents probably wouldn't get a chance to see otherwise," said Jeff Matthews, an acting teacher at Washington University who directs many of its productions.

Laura Peters, marketing director for the Muny in Forest Park, agreed about her organization's ability to do the same for residents.

"We present high-quality entertainment," Peters said, "and residents have many opportunities to experience it."

And our local organizations draw patrons from all over, further helping local businesses.

"We're an amazing draw for county residents," Peters said, "and they patronize surrounding businesses and restaurants. Clayton restaurants benefit particularly."

Matthews also sees an economic benefit. "We have extraordinary human resources and technical budgets, which we spend locally," he said.

In addition to providing experiences, many arts groups and venues present opportunities for residents to get involved.

"A lot of area kids are cast in our shows," Peters said, "so it's a chance for them to participate in professional theater at no cost to them."

Effective arts organizations should also give back to the communities in which they're located and should offer options that are either extremely reasonable in price or cost nothing.

"We always have the 1,400 free seats, but in addition we give away 2,500 seats every Monday to service groups, hospitals, charities and the disabled," Peters said.

Washington University offers educational experiences that are value entertainment as well, Matthews said.

"We produce shows of historical significance, as well as new work. We try to be current and multicultural, and we're very affordable," Matthews said.

Peters and Matthews agree that Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch coverage of local arts is beneficial to residents and important to arts organizations.

"Oh yeah, very important to us," Matthews said. "It's thrilling, exciting theater, and we want to share that with the community. So anytime we get help spreading the word, that's good for everybody."

Editor's note: Chris Reilly's column will appear on Fridays starting Dec. 17.