I believe...

Art-making is a matter of the soul. Children know this. Adults forget this. When children participate in quality art experiences consistently, they grow to become more creative adults who are better able to think critically and react perceptively.

Generally our American education system stresses linear thinking and objectivity. The non-verbal, subjective, emotional, playful, poetic and divergent activities--music, art, drama, dance--have been relegated to "free-time" if formally existent at all. This happens despite the awareness that all great achievements of mankind--whether in the sciences, humanities, medicine or technology --rely upon creative imagination and divergent thought.


As an art instructor, I feel:

....artistic expression is inherent in every person- the variety shows up in the strength and form of expression

....art can be demonstrated but not dictated

...art is not always the creation of what is "beautiful" or "realistic", but is also that which is strongly felt

...some things can be taught, others need to be discovered

...art is a vital and necessary form of communication