Having just returned from the Art of the Carolinas Trade Show hosted by Jerry’s Artarama in Raleigh, NC I am more convinced than ever that even though it is a struggle to make a living as an artist, it matters. Art matters for so many reasons. It matters when I have the opportunity to work with young people, like these Warren County Middle School students, when I can help them discover their creativity.
It matters when I work with artists ages 7 – 85 to help them discover how art can inspire them, how it can help develop communication, how it enlivens our senses, how it increases our self-confidence, how it enhances our ability to learn and fuels our imaginations. Art matters!
But it needs people who appreciate and support local art and artists to sustain it. Support local art in your community because art matters for so many reasons.
The Studio 
Very good Kelly….think I will forward it on to our membership.
Kelly, this post inspired me to write one of my own: “Art as Connection” (http://www.heartspoken.com/2011/11/art-as-connection/).
Thanks for all you do for the arts in the northern Shenandoah Valley!