We must be born with it.  A gene, or some mental wiring that says that art is some pretty imitation of nature scenes, flower arrangements, quaint villages,  and/or portraits.  Overcoming this wiring is usually the job of education or having a son or daughter who wants to become an “artist”  I spent my first year here subbing in the Middle and High Schools in art classes.  I can say that the art teachers here in Rapid do a wonderful job in teaching basic skills and ways of looking at historical and contemporary art.  So the problem is not in education.  For a long time, part of the problem was not having a proper venue to showcase challenging artworks for the general public.  Now that we have the new and expanded Dahl Art Center the problem of exposure should be solved.  Now we have to get folks in the door and actually looking at stuff they are not used to looking at.   The light paintings of Stephen Knapp may be a middle ground of sorts for those who like beautiful things and aren’t bothered by abstract shapes.  The work of Ross Rudel is another matter and maybe some explanation or more time spent pondering is in order.   Both artists can be seen at the new Dahl and they are worth the trip. Come out of your “comfort zone” a little and see some work that will get you thinking about what is art and what is beautiful.  Don Jones