A batch of happy thoughts—Glen Arbor Arts Center explores happiness
By Katie Dunn
Sun contributor
“Happy.” How exactly is happiness defined? Is it a simple proposition or a complex notion? Is happiness something objective or something entirely subjective? Is it completely nebulous?
Happiness can be the view from atop Pyramid Point; the June harvest of Bardenhagen strawberries; chasing the Northern Lights out at the end of Bohemian Road; volunteering at Leelanau Christian Neighbor’s weekly “Blessings in a Backpack;” driving Leelanau County’s back roads, like Schomberg—just because.
Essentially, happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, connectivity, and fulfillment. While it has many different definitions—and iterations—happiness is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction. It also is very much a fluid concept that can range from complete placidity to absolute euphoria, from contentment to awe.
Scientists have found that, generally, the three components that make people most happy are: pleasure—doing the things one enjoys; engagement—feeling interested in one’s activities and connected to others; meaning—feeling like that which one does, indeed, matters.
Over the centuries, countless artists, philosophers, theologians and spiritual leaders have weighed in on the essence of happiness. Pharrell Williams, an American record producer, rapper, singer and song writer, has shared his view about what happiness means in his song, aptly named “Happy.”
“Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I’m happy)
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”
In Aristotelian philosophy, authentic happiness is termed “eudaimonia,” and defined as the result of an active life governed by virtue and reason. It is the highest good toward which humans can strive, and divine-like:
“If there is any gift of the gods to men, it is reasonable that happiness should be god-given…happiness, however, even if it is not god-sent, but comes as a result of virtue and some process of learning and training, to be among the most god-like things; for that which is the prize and end of virtue seems to be the best thing in the world, and something god-like and blessed,” extolled Aristotle.
Pope Francis has imparted to his flock a notion of happiness that is not defined by constant tranquility or abounding jubilation, but instead by perseverance and gratitude:
“Happiness is not having a sky without storms, walking without accidents, working without fatigue, personal relationships without disappointments. Being happy is finding strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, confidence in fear, love in discord…Being happy is not a destiny, but a conquest for those who know how to travel in their own being…It’s like walking through deserts outside of yourself, but managing to find an oasis deep in your soul.”
And, the Dalai Lama has espoused that happiness is deeply tethered to compassion for others:
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop happiness and peace.”
The Glen Arbor Arts Center (GAAC) is interested in how artists relate to, and creatively express, the notion of happiness. The GAAC’s very first exhibit of 2024 will explore happiness, and is, fittingly, titled “Happy.”
Twenty-six artists have submitted works that explore and interpret the many facets of happiness—be it literal or figurative. These artists are primarily from Michigan, but also represented are California, Massachusetts and Maryland. Exhibitors answered the core question—what is “happy” to you—by employing a wide range of media, materials and techniques, including painting, photography, etchings, mixed media, pen and ink, clay, and fiber. The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 12 through March 21 with an opening reception from 5-7 pm on Jan. 12.
“Happy” is the ingenious idea of Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager.
“In the ‘Happy’ exhibit prospectus, I offer Bhutan as an example [of happiness]. That nation values happiness, and understands it in terms of psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity and resilience, living standards. No matter how hard a corporation may try, none of those things can be branded and sold. I sense that more and more people are beginning to think of happiness as something that comes not from the ownership of an abundance of material goods, but from states of being, from relationships with friends and the natural world,” Bearup-Neal explained.
The works to be displayed for “Happy” prove that artistic manifestations of happiness are decidedly not abstruse, but varied and manifold: it can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, representational or nonrepresentational, realistic, abstract or interpretive.
“The arts—all of them—give us powerful tools for interpreting and describing the world, events and being. The visual arts offer a new vocabulary for talking about the world that is not only inviting, but sometimes provokes a different way of thinking about something. I was interested in finding out how people understood happiness, and described it through their visual art,” Bearup-Neal said.
Mark Mehaffey, an Empire based artist, contributed a mixed media piece comprised of watercolor, gouache and graphite titled “Happy Meal.” It depicts a turkey vulture feasting on a rabbit that was lying dead in the road. Mehaffey encountered this scene while driving, and it resonated with him. He had been contemplating how exactly he could create a work that was an artistic rendition of happiness.
“So the processing began…as I was driving along I had to stop. There, blocking the traffic was a turkey vulture just having a great time eating a squished rabbit. Then it hit me! A ‘Happy Vulture!’ A ‘Happy Meal!’ [It] had to be painted. And now you know my sense of humor,” Mehaffey said.
More seriously, Mehaffey explained what happiness means to him:
“Research indicates that ‘happy’ is very difficult to quantify. ‘Happy’ is a different state of being for each individual. We feel it, but it’s oh so hard to divine it. I am happy…when surrounded by family and friends who love me. I am happy walking in the woods. I am happy fishing. I am happy creating painting ideas. I am happy helping others.”
The “Happy” exhibit is especially relevant, given its timing. It will be on display during what are generally considered darker—sometimes even bleak—months.
“Happy” is then not simply intended to be thought-provoking and esoteric, but just as significantly: comforting. A refuge of sorts to assuage the quiet and isolation of winter. “Happy” is meant to provide a warm, communal embrace.
“More than a year ago, I was thinking about the exhibition I wanted to do at the beginning of 2024. Many people associate the winter months with darkness and cold, which is a weather fact in Northern Michigan. Darkness and cold weather are generally considered a happiness buzzkill, so I began to wonder how we might take this perception, and inject some happiness in the vicinity. The result? The ‘Happy’ exhibit idea was hatched,” Bearup-Neal shared.
It is not uncommon for folks to experience winter doldrums or suffer from a more acute variation thereof: seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
“Many people go through short periods when they feel sad or unlike their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. Many people feel ‘down’ or have the ‘winter blues’ when the days get shorter in the fall and winter and feel better in the spring when longer daylight hours return…Sometimes, these mood changes are more serious…If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior when the seasons change, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”
This is precisely why this exhibit is so appropriately timed, and so perfectly sensitive to the needs of the Leelanau community. The NIMH advises light therapy and vitamin D treatments to remedy SAD, among other regimens—and that, indeed, should be duly abided by.
But perhaps, an additional antidote is readily available right at the GAAC: “Happy.” Encountering artistic representations of happiness, finding wonder and awe through the arts—that, too, can mitigate these sometimes-austere winter months in magical Leelanau. Brightness and levity at the GAAC—a beacon of “happy.” And, a little Pharrell in the north woods.
