Creativity Activated for Iron County Today

 Creativity Activated 

by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President

"Methinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow," is a famous quote by Henry David Thoreau. It is often helpful to take a walk to unlock new ideas and to solve creative challenges. Physical movement helps unlock the flow of ideas by activating the part of the brain where thoughts get organized. Sometimes you just need a break to prepare the mind for performances. It is recommended to take a walk as preparation for a concert. One of our past orchestra conductors, Gerard Yun, recommended a banana if you need to calm down, or a piece of chocolate if you need a spark of energy. 

April is a particularly demanding month for the arts community.  Students in the schools and at the University are performing in plays, dancing, and concerts. Many are participating in regional and state competitions. The students have worked all year and now is the culmination of their efforts. School calendars are full of performances and the public is welcome to come out and support the students. The teachers are gearing up for the final push. They may be the ones who need a gift of chocolate more than the students.

There are several upcoming dance studio extravaganzas. The Cedar Valley Community Theater is gearing up for the Sound of Music at the end of May. All of the theater companies have full schedules set for the summer.

The  Utah Shakespeare Festival will soon welcome cast and crew for the 65th season. They are currently requesting photos and stories about your experiences with the Festival; submission details can be found on the USF social media. 

For those interested in visual art, Michael Clark is hosting a free watercolor workshop on April 25 at 9:30 am at the Cedar City Library. This workshop will focus on watercolor techniques, and will include a demonstration of landscape painting. This is ahead of the Cedar City Plein Air Painting Festival to be held the last week of May. All beginners and interested artists are encouraged to bring their watercolor materials to the workshop, though limited supplies will be offered free of charge. For additional information contact mmilliganclark@yahoo.com.

"I finally found my rhythm when I realized even the steps backward were part of the dance," wrote Melody Godfred in a poem. I love this concept because progress is definitely not a straight line. There are many zigs and zags on the road to finishing any project.

When you need a walk to refresh your mind and activate your creativity you are fortunate to live in Cedar City. KSL reports that "Over 100 miles of trails are accessible within 30 minutes of downtown Cedar City. " The city has been named a 2026 International Mountain Bicycling Association Trail Town which gives our trails national recognition. This accomplishment represents years of work and vision by many in our community.

One of my favorite walks is at the Lake on the Hill near the Aquatic Center. It is particularly nice at dusk and there are often spectacular sunsets. So pair your art activities with a walk when you can find a few minutes. And there is always chocolate.

(Photos from Lake on the Hill in April, 2026)