| Beauty may be subjective, but art demands recognition.
There are many shades of art and many shapes to an artist; some more subtle, some more overt. What usually springs to mind, of course, are the visual examples – a marquee building, an ornate sculpture, a well-loved literary classic – these are indeed works of art and are difficult to overlook.
On other end of the spectrum is artistry more nuanced. A well-run public meeting is a thing of beauty. A compromise reached without any of the parties feeling compromised is a delicate and difficult dance. And a clear and succinct contract is practically miraculous. Whenever something goes well, there’s an artist behind it.
While the visual arts may be more easily identified, all art should be recognized. This month’s issue of Banker & Tradesman’s sister publication, The Commercial Record, is The Art Issue. It explores the ways developers are using art as an amenity to attract residents to new multifamily developments; when yoga studies and firepits become commonplace, it is the mural in the lobby or the frieze on the fourth floor that stands out.
We also take readers on a trip to the Mark Twain House and Museum. Once the home of Samuel Clemens (who famously wrote under the pseudonym of Mark Twain), the house has been lovingly restored to its glory. It now serves to remind visitors of both the great literary genius Twain and the humanity of the man Clemens. (And it’s got an awesome statue of the man himself built freehand out of Legos. Note: this is not a period-accurate detail.)
Finally, crashing together in cyberspace are the Wild West of the Internet, where it often seems like anything goes and there are no rules, and the highly-regulated, law-abiding world of community banking. When a bank seeks to rebrand, its website must be a part of the conversation, and form, function and compliance all come into play. But this is the Internet and nothing there must stay entirely within the lines; even within the boxes of regulation, compliance and the importance of finance management, local banks find ways to express their hometown pride and community spirit to elegant effect.
From our office in the heart of Fort Point, the staff of Banker & Tradesman recognizes and celebrates artists and artistry in all its forms – and we’re inviting readers to do the same. Contact us with stories and photos of the art you see on your commute, at your job and in your hometown; help us showcase the talent of native artists, and the pride Greater Boston residents take in their art. Submissions may be emailed to editorial@thewarrengroup.com (subject: B&T Art Submission) or mailed to our office, 280 Summer St., 8th Floor, Boston MA 02210.
We look forward to seeing your submissions and celebrating the artists among us.
