Articles

According to recent data released by the National Endowment for the arts, general participation in art-related events has been severely reduced.   During 2008, most art forms saw a decline in the number of patrons supporting performances or exhibits. The general population that actually took part in such events also appeared to be ageing, a trend that has shown an apparent streak of apathy about the arts in younger generations. Most surprisingly, well-educated Americans are shying away from the art scene these days and collectors, both young and old, have also shown restraint in their purchasing habits. Evidently, the survey...

A good deal of Tribal art from pre-historic times up to the present have emerged from the African continent.   And a study of art out of Africa will tell you that the earliest sculpture forms are dated around 500BC and come from Nigeria. Sculptures are always made from various materials such as wood or stone, and Shona sculptures from Zimbabwe are a typical example of exquisite stonework. Art from Africa has often been connected to tribal and ritual ceremonies. Many objects created in ancient times were not looked upon as aesthetic accomplishments, and no efforts were made to preserve...

To give your Art Deco decorating theme that professional ambience, you need to find the best suited decorative accessories.   Try to use stark geometric decorative items that complement the unique with geometric flair appeal of the Art Deco era. When purchasing pieces to spruce up your Art Décor design style, you'll want to focus on decorative accessories like pillows, artwork and knick-knacks. Wall art is a fine way to add interest to your walls, however many homeowners don't know the right way to hang them. Individual works should be positioned so the middle of the piece is at eye...

Burma, since 1989 also called Myanmar, is famous for various things and jade is definitely one of them.                                                 To be sure, this article is about Burmese jade but when writing (and speaking for that matter) about jade, in general, and Burmese jade, in particular, it is imperative to include China for not only is China the world's largest market for jade but it also played and still plays a very important role with respect to the...

A half-day sail from the glitz and glamour of St Barths lays the tiny Dutch island of St. Eustatius or Statia (pronounced Stay-sha) as it is known by the locales.   The first impression is that this island is not your typical Caribbean escape for a sailing charter. For one, if approaching from the north, your first glimpse will be of the 2,000-foot dormant volcano that dominates the southern part of the island. With the top cone frequently covered in clouds, it looks imposing. Second, as you near the island, enormous supertankers wait offshore to deposit or retrieve fuel stored...