But Is It Art?

​   I belong to a local artist’s guild. It’s a very active group which participates in local charities, teaches art classes and offers several venues for our members to display their work.
At the last monthly meeting our president asked folks to submit class proposals for   consideration. I submitted a syllabus for teaching a class in beginner knitting.
It was promptly rejected with one sentence; “Knitting isn’t art.”
I pointed out that there are many fiber artists who certainly consider knitting an art  form and I sent her several images of knitting artwork hanging in galleries.
 Her response was, “You want to teach them to knit a hat.  That’s not art.”
I quipped back that I would come up with an art piece that I could teach to beginning knitters.
But, you know what? When a person puts money down on art classes they don’t learn how to paint a masterpiece. They learn the skills that will enable them to paint a masterpiece
So, by offering to teach students beginner knitting skills, aren’t I doing the same thing as someone who teaches beginner art lessons?


I think I’ll try again.