Why Art Matters: A Love Letter to Creativity and Community

Posted on 06/04/25

Dear Friends,

I’d like to talk about something very close to my heart: the importance of art in our communities and our lives.

Art, in all its forms, is communication. It’s a different kind of language—one that doesn’t always rely on words but speaks directly to our emotions, our imagination, our sense of self, and of each other. Art is how we tell our stories when words fall short. It’s how we express grief, joy, resistance, and celebration. It’s how we make sense of a complicated world.

But perhaps most importantly—art is how we connect.

Whether it's a painting on a gallery wall, a mural on the side of a building, a performance in a neighborhood park, or a child’s first handmade sculpture in an art class—art invites us to see through someone else’s eyes. It bridges gaps. It opens doors. It reminds us of our shared humanity.

In my own work, I’ve seen just how powerful that connection can be:

• I’ve seen a shy child discover confidence through drawing, using art as an expressive outlet that made them feel proud, safe, and joyful.
• I’ve watched neighbors bond over a public art project.
• I’ve heard someone say, after walking through an exhibit, “I feel seen.”
• I’ve seen a man facing the end of his life embrace ceramics as a way to make peace with his journey.

That’s the power of art.

And yet, too often, we treat it as extra. As decoration. As optional.

We relegate it to the margins when it should be at the center—of our schools, our communities, our conversations.

Art is not a luxury.

It’s not just something we do when we have free time or extra resources. It is a vital part of how we build strong, healthy, vibrant communities. Because when people are given the tools to express themselves creatively, they also find their voice in other areas of life.

Art builds confidence.
It nurtures empathy.
It sparks curiosity and collaboration.
It makes space for diverse voices—especially those that are too often left out.

And let’s not forget—art is also where innovation begins. The imagination that fuels a great painting is the same imagination that fuels a scientific breakthrough, a business idea, or a social movement.

So when we support the arts—when we fund them, teach them, and celebrate them—we are not just creating beauty. We are investing in the future. We are shaping better citizens, better leaders, better listeners.

At the heart of FAVA’s work is a belief in the power of expression. In giving people the tools and the courage to say what they mean, to stand up for what they believe, and to build bridges—through their words, their paintbrushes, their voices, their movements.

We are all communicators—whether we speak from a podium, craft a story on canvas, or lead quietly by example.

So keep showing up.
Keep sharing.
Keep championing the creative voices all around us.

Because art doesn’t just change lives.
It connects them.

Thank you, as always, for being a friend to FAVA! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Kindly,

Kathleen Jackson

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Want to support the power of art in our community? Join FAVA with a membership, make a donation, or sign up for a class. Together, let’s keep creativity at the heart of everything we do.