I call my company Art Saves the Day because, well, it does.
During the pandemic, I watched my students slip into different versions of themselves. They became anxious, depressed, and indifferent. A shifting world without real human interaction was scary, and many of the kids I taught suffered because of it. I knew that these kids needed art more than ever, and I did my best to provide the highest quality art content, even if it had to be through a screen.
Art has the power to calm an anxious mind. Watching a paintbrush flow back and forth, concentrating on copying the movement of a line, using your senses to perceive subtle differences in light and color, that’s all meditation. Learning art builds confidence and brings joy. Art can allow us to express thoughts and feelings that we may not be able to put into words. Art can help us to fight depression, and when done in a class setting, can combat isolation and create a sense of deep belonging.
While the developmental and academic benefits of art are important (and there are many), I believe that the power art has to heal the mind is its true superpower. I want this magic to be available for everyone. I want to tailor instruction so that students feel that they can succeed. I want to instill the idea in children that the process of creating art is just as important as the outcome. I want all children (and adults, for that matter) to feel that they are artists and to create with reckless abandon. Lastly, I want to thank you for joining me on this journey.