Nurturing Creativity: How the Cranbrook Art Community Shaped My Artistic Growth

Marc Garrison
Sep 3
2 min read

Cranbrook Educational Community is truly a remarkable institution

This unique combination of world-class architecture, comprehensive educational facilities, and historical significance makes Cranbrook one of the most distinctive educational communities in America.I have embraced the Cranbrook educational community for many years now. I thought I would share my development as an artist and how I have used this wonderful resource to enhance my skills and growth as an artist.

A collage of Cranbrook grounds and museum by Marc Garrison

Established in the early 20th century by newspaper magnate George Gough Booth and his wife, Ellen Scripps Booth, Cranbrook is far more than a standard school. It is an expansive 319-acre campus that uniquely integrates several educational entities, including schools, an academy of art, an art museum, a science institute, and historic house and gardens, all situated in one place.

various black and white photo's on the grounds of Cranbrook

Cranbrook was designed to integrate education, art, and nature. The campus is a National Historic Landmark, with institutions like the Cranbrook Institute of Science promoting scientific exploration.

In summary, Cranbrook's exceptional architecture, diverse educational offerings, and rich history make a key contributor to America's cultural landscape. Its commitment to excellence attracts students and art enthusiasts from around the globe.

I initially began visiting the Cranbrook grounds to walk my dog. Later, I realized it was an excellent spot to bring my camera and capture the intriguing surroundings. I found myself returning frequently to enjoy the fresh air and enhance my photography skills.

My interest in photography began to shift towards capturing vibrant macro images of flowers. Once more, the grounds of Cranbrook proved to be an excellent location for refining my skills in photographing stunning floral vistas and close-ups.

As my artistic skills have changed to more digital art and painting, I have retained a lot of the source materials that I have discovered at the Cranbrook grounds. Notice how I have incorporated some of the natural line work and tree branch style in my digital drawings.

My recent artistic pursuits encompass abstract painting, mixed media work, and collage. While the medium has evolved considerably, the process and source materials continue to be heavily influenced by the significance of the Cranbrook grounds.

Below are several examples of my current painting style.