Explore - the Word with
Heather René Dunaway
November 2026
Exploration is often a luxury, but doesn’t have to be.
As creatives, we have the opportunity to be explorers and adventurers in many ways. We experiment with new tools, new colors, new sounds, new tastes. We navigate ways to make art happen. We have for as long as humanity has existed. It’s at the core of what we do. It’s a means of expressing ourselves and individuals and as groups.
I once read a scientific journal of some philosophy-type-scientist who studied physics and the cosmos and they theorized that we, as humans, gained creativity and the vision to create imagery and music from gazing up at the stars. That our earliest ancestors, the night owls of the group who laid awake to watch over their sleeping neighbors, would often look up into the darkness and imagine the stars were giant bears, warriors with sparkly belts, lions, fish and so on. They’d connect the dots by connecting the stars with something they were more familiar with as a way to make sense of their surroundings. This scientist, whose name alludes me, theorized that creatives were the first of the space explorers; the first of the astronauts. That stuck with me.
There is something intrinsically magical about being creative.
For me, exploration is a map of streets that interconnect at some point.
Travel is one road. Going to different places and learning about history and culture there. Seeing how these artists established themes and molded forms from the materials they had. How they solved problems. How they did things differently, but also, ways they did things the same.
I recently got back from a trip to Greece (my honeymoon) and while there, Jeremy and I visited many museums. There was one attached to the park associated with the Temple of Apollo at Corinth. We were wondering around looking at all the artifacts when Jeremy pointed out a group of female-ish figures set up in a circle with another male-ish looking figure in the middle. I stated that “I bet it’s just the girls having a good time.” and when Jeremy went to read the little plaque next to it, it was indeed women worshiping who they thought was the god Pan. Jeremy asked how I knew, without reading the plaque. “A girl just knows a girl. Real recognizes real, Jeremy.” Because, of course I as a woman, even in modern times, have gathered with my girlies and danced around some silly thing (though in today’s time its usually something like the Twilight Series or some boy band). Some things don’t change.
If exploring away from home isn’t in your budget, explore at home. There is always something new to discover about your hometown. Right now, if you need that push, the Arts Council is collaborating with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History to create an art exhibit in the Augusta & Co. Gallery. Titled History Explored, this show challenges artists to explore Augusta’s rich history to create new work inspired by it.
Mediums are another road. Maybe it’s the ADHD in me, but I find a new tool to create thrilling. Sometimes, the mediums even overlap. Especially in my case (mixed media knows no bounds). They can inspire one another or introduce a new art form entirely. Musicians being inspired by visual art. Visual art being inspired by written word. Written word being inspired by a hot cup of tea. The hot cup of tea being inspired by soft music playing on a chill morning. Its a cycle that will never end.
The last road I’ll mention is self. Exploring within is sometimes a wild ride. Exploring your roots, your family, your life, your mind; it all leads to new ways to view your own work as the artist behind it. New ways to view the world. It creates personal meaning in what you are doing and makes your work impact those who are receiving it in new ways. Your story matters and deserves to be included.
Anyway, that’s the word. I miss gelato.
It’s good to be back.
-Heather