The Heart of Art: Angela Johnston

It’s common practice for the older generations to mutter about the
attitudes and abilities of “kids these days.” This rumination goes
back 2,400 years to Socrates who famously said, “Our youth now love
luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show
disrespect for elders and they love to chatter instead of exercise.”

I can’t help but giggle when I hear this from my friends. We’re
Millennials and yet we sound like some of the oldest, old-fogies of
antiquity. Especially, when I take into account how eloquent, inspired
and adaptive I have found Gen Z and Gen Alpha to be.

Last week, I sat down with Angela Johnston, student director of Amador
County Arts Council and winner of the Amador High School Poetry Out
Loud finals. Angela was delightful and authentic and I found myself
thinking that if she at all represents the future of our young adults,
we’re all good.

Angela Johnston is certain about one thing: she is an artist. At just
17, she speaks about herself and her art with a clarity I found
enviable.

“I’ve been an artist since I was born,” said Johnston. “I don’t see
that ever going away.” Art is more than what she does—it’s who she is,
an identity that she finds natural.

For Angela, art is a calling that won’t be dimmed by fear, even if the
path ahead seems uncertain. When asked about a professional career in
the arts Johnston said: “It’s something I’m highly considering,” but
she wrestles with the worries that accompany such a dream. “I always
worry. Is fear the only thing stopping me?”

That fear, Angela explains, comes from societal pressures and the
doubts that linger over success. “I’ve been told you can never be a
successful artist,” she says. Yet her definition of success stands in
stark contrast to a monetary definition. “To me, success is being able
to just be happy. As long as I have somewhere to shower, a roof over
my head, food to eat—I’m pretty okay.”

Angela sees art not just as a method of self-expression. “I view art
as an act of service too,” she says, recognizing its power to connect,
inspire and bring meaning to others. Part of her position as Student
Director is to act as an ambassador to her school for Amador Arts. Art
is something Angela sees as essential. “It’s how we understand
ourselves and express ourselves as humans.”

One of the most valuable lessons she’s learned from art is to embrace
imperfection.”When I get up on stage and try to give the most perfect
performance of my life, I’m gonna fail,” she says. “It’s only when I
let it all naturally flow that I can even enjoy performing.” She
pauses, reflecting on how this truth applies to more than just
theater: “You’ll never be perfect—and that’s kind of a beautiful thing
when it comes to art.”

Amador Arts has been paying, helping and promoting artists since 1982,
uplifting arts and culture for all peoples in Amador County; Me-wuk,
Miwok & Miwuk lands. Visit our website to learn more: amadorarts.org.

Heart of Art is a Weekly column in the Ledger Dispatch promoting the benefits of the arts. Be sure to check it out in the on their website for the original publication!

By Kelly Curtis Amador Arts Chef Storyteller and local artist.