Sep 5, 2008 4 min read

This was the third year for the Greensboro “Art Blast On the Mon” weekend that allows those successful in the arts and budding artists alike to join forces and brainstorm along the banks of the Monongahela River. “I have understood from a young age that the arts – whether it be poetry, or music or painting – are a compliment to daily life and that we need to focus on them,” said state Rep. William H. DeWeese, who addressed the attending crowd during the weekend event. “While I ardently work to secure state funding for fire agencies, police departments, drug and alcohol addiction services and other such vital services, I am unwavering in my perspective that the arts are a central and driving element to having a total life.”

Those in attendance at the workshops, where DeWeese was charged with creating his own work of art by members of the Nathanael Green Historical Foundation, agreed with him.

One audience member said that she felt especially strong about supporting the arts in light of the fact that her son was following a career path along those lines.

“He did not do well in school in traditional classes. He was easily bored and unfocused. It was a challenge to keep him on task,” she said.

It was not an issue of intelligence for this woman’s son or for others in the room like Peter Lambert of Redstar Ironworks in Pittsburgh. For someone like Lambert, who is right-brained thinking, it was natural to become an artisan.

Most individuals have a distinct preference for either right or left-brained thinking. Some are blessed to be more whole-brained thinkers and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects such as math and science focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, such as the arts and music on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.

Lambert, who dropped out of school in the 10th grade, said that right-brained subjects did not receive enough of an emphasis to keep him there.

“I don’t advocate dropping out of school. I do believe that schools need to listen to the kids. Let them talk and make sure that the opportunities exist for them to be inspired,” Lambert said. “It is the inspiration and excitement in an environment that will help them to find the thing that speaks to them.”

Lambert knows of what he speaks. After a few years of struggling to get his career life in order, he is a successful businessman with a staff of ten and high demand for the work of he and his fellow artisans.

“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘if you have a skill and your skill is in demand, go and be the best at it that you can be and you will be wealthy,’ Lambert told the audience.

Redstar Ironworks offers unpaid apprenticeships to deserving individuals each year who want to learn the trade of a blacksmith. It is Lambert’s way of giving back for the success that he has achieved and offering someone else the opportunities that came his way.

“It wasn’t always easy. We started out as two guys in a garage. I was lucky to have parents who were willing to help out along the way here and there until I got to where I am today,” Lambert said. “There is not enough value put on the arts by many people.”

One of the organizers of the Art Blast, Mary Shine of the Nathanael Green Historical Society, agrees with Lambert on that fact that the arts should be emphasized and said that she was grateful to the support that has made it possible.

“The conference, in its third year, is again a success but we could not do it without funding and I have to thank Rep. DeWeese for helping us to secure the grant monies again to do this,” Shine said. “There are a lot of great things starting to happen in Greensboro and he has supported us in any way that he can. He’s always attended the conference, helped out with the trail and getting sewage to the area. We truly would not be moving forward like we have without his commitment to our community.”

The weekend event also featured an art show and award ceremony in Greensboro Fire Hall, live entertainment and music at the Greensboro Log Cabin and a number of heritage arts demonstrations, including blacksmiths, potters, quilters, tatters, glass art, bead making and more.

Day three of the festival featured a “Paddle on the Mon,” with canoes supplied by the state Fish and Boat Commission.

Visit www.natgreene.org to learn more about the continued programs in Greensboro.