The Power of Art to Inspire Community Dialogue

What is art without community? For many artists, their work exists to create a dialogue with their audience or a greater collective. For today’s guest, looking, listening, sharing, and collaborating are inseparable from the paint, the place, and the form.   Meg Saligman, internationally recognized American artist, has produced over 40 permanent public artworks worldwide. Her practice stems from a deep desire to give a voice to communities through public art. She's received numerous awards in addition to the Visionary Woman Award, including the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Visionary Artist Award and honors from the National Endowment for the Arts. Meg has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Artnet, and on the Today Show.   Follow along to hear Meg’s advice for pursuing a creative career, how to become more integrated into our communities, and the positive ripple effect you have the power to create.   Today's episode of Women WorldWide, which features a Visionary Woman Award winner, is being sponsored by Moore College of Art & Design. Moore is the first and only women's visual arts college for undergraduates in the United States.   In This Episode Experiences that led Meg to become an artist How a digital world is influencing creative careers One question everyone should ask themselves when choosing a career How to create an open dialogue in a community The ripple effect caused by positive experiences in your life   Quotes in This Episode “I was probably in about junior high I saw my art teacher paint a watercolor flower and I remember just seeing that thinking, ‘Oh my god, if I could ever do that, that would be the most wonderful thing. I actually think about that moment sometimes when I'm out there painting in a community or out on the street like, ‘What if someone like me at that age sees me painting and somehow I turn a light on?’” —Meg Saligman   “Whatever your goals are—I am so motivated by just playing with paint all day. That's the way I want to spend my days—if that's your motivation you're willing to work hard, I believe the money will follow. I say go for it and see where it takes you.” —Meg Saligman   “I would want to tell [aspiring young women artists] you can't have everything but you can make conscious choices and set your mind on getting what you choose.” —Meg Saligman   “I consider myself a vessel with a vision. But the vessel can hold the collective and individual voices of the community.” —Meg Saligman   “There is no one path or there is no set of rules that a woman has to follow in order to be a good mom, a good wife, a good whatever role she's adapting I think. So that's the inner compass that I think should find it.” —Meg Saligman   Resources Megsaligman.com Connect with Meg on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn