Greek Mythology tells us there were nine Muses. Their mission was to gift mortals with the inspiration to creatively express art, music, writing, theater, and science. The “creation” of the Muses occurred in 500 B.C., yet the concept of inspiration as it relates to the Muses and their relationship to the arts remains an enduring concept into the 21st century. Volumes have been published throughout history on the inspirational role the nine Muses continue to play in explaining the mystery of inspiration. Indeed, creativity is mysterious. It surrounds us everywhere, from composers to cartoonists, chemists to choreographers. Artists, writers, and scientists rarely know how their original ideas arise; thus, there may never be a scientific theory of creativity. Creative ideas emerge unexpectedly, with little conscious awareness of how they arise. The Muses explanation is that creativity arises from the spirit … the mind may not have the comprehension or the words to explain how it arises. "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious: it is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."   Albert Einstein

The Muses Creative Artistry Project is a non-profit performing, creativity, and healing arts company, designed to inspire, entertain, and inform its audience about the value art, creativity and music have to the overall well being of every individual and the community at large. The ultimate goal of the Muses is to cause individuals to experience creative renewal and a deeper understanding of their own need for artistic expression and balance in life. Simply put, their purpose is to enhance the wellbeing of the community and alert its citizens to the possibilities of an abundant, rewarding and satisfying life. Ample evidence exists to prove people can benefit from exposure to the arts and a well-defined approach to a creative life. Positive learning experiences, encounters with excellence and passion, beauty and boldness are all by-products of this approach and they are important building blocks in understanding how inspiration leads to creativity and a balanced life. Indeed, the Muses themselves strive to achieve that balance and practice their art on a daily basis.

THREE AREAS OF INFLUENCE

• Creative Arts - exploring and encouraging the creative potential in every individual, offering seminars and workshops that blend visual art, creative writing, and personal expression, and including peak performance life coaching.
• Performing Arts - continuing dedication to excellence in classical music and live performance, poetry, drama, and dance.
• Healing Arts - collaborating with physicians and therapists in order to explore the connection between music, creativity, and wellness; including promotion of the healing power of art, music, creativity and musical sound therapeutic massage.

The mission of The Muses Creative Artistry Project is: EXCELLENCE & INSPIRATION

• To promote classical music and fine art through professional performances, symposia and workshop formats;
• To inspire, instruct, heal, and delight its audience and participants by providing diverse expressions of classical art and educational enrichment opportunities to the citizens of Arkansas;
• To facilitate and encourage individuals to experience creative renewal and a deeper understanding of individual need for artistic expression and entertainment as a vehicle towards stress management/reduction and a more balanced life.

MISSION NARRATIVE

The Muses’ raison d’être is to inspire, entertain, and enrich the lives of individuals of all ages and economic means by offering very high level professional performances, workshops, seminars and lectures. The performance aspect of the Muses brings together highly skilled local, national, and international, professional musicians, singers, visual artists, and dancers. These collaborative concerts are masterfully performed with exquisite excellence and are typically described as transformative, ethereal adventures into beautiful music and artistry. The creativity aspect of the Muses combines lectures and seminars with hands on workshop approaches that are designed to inspire and encourage participants to discover, unleash, nurture, and express their own inherent creativity. A primary tenant of the Muses is that everyone has the power to create and the ability to express that creativity in uniquely individual ways.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND PERFORMANCES

Art Of Living – Thursday, April 14 - Creative Community Outreach

A Lenten Sacred Classical Choral Concert – Tuesday, April 19 ~ 7:30 pm ~ First Presbyterian, Hot Springs

Warren Performing Arts Series – Wednesday April 27th Helena, AR

Benefit Concert for Japan Relief Efforts – Thursday March 28th, 7pm Hot Springs

Creativity Workshop – Friday April 29th, 10am – 2pm
"The healing arts component of The Muses, with professional Life Coach Toni Spears as its director, works with artists, musicians, and other creatives who are blocked or in need of support, encouragement, or direction. Collaborating with other healing professionals and practitioners through workshops, seminars, and educational community outreach, the healing arts wing of The Muses provides participants with practical and diverse methods of cultivating inspiration and creative expression beyond individual talents, leading to an increased potential to experience joyful and creative living."

The Graces Guild 2011 Luncheon – Thursday, June 2 ~ 11:30 am ~ Hot Springs Country Club

Summer Garden Party – Popular Seasonal Standards, Instrumental and Vocal - Sunday, June 19 – 3pm Garvan Gardens

Magic Flute Cocktail – Opera “appetizers” by 8 talented singers – Sunday, September 18 - 3pm Garvan Gardens

Fourth Annual Opera Gala – Thursday, September 22 ~ 6 pm ~ Governor’s Mansion, Little Rock

Voices of Angels – Christmas Concert Sunday, December 18 - 3pm Garvan Gardens