Why Art Matters: A Teacher’s Perspective

As an art teacher with a mixed background—having been homeschooled, attended public school, graduated with honors, started a small business, and taught at a private institution—I’ve seen firsthand how crucial the arts are. Art is not just a subject but a connecting point. It connects us to our community, our families, and to larger social and political conversations. It’s an invaluable tool that transcends time and generations, offering countless ways for people to communicate and understand the world.

Art as Connection

Art has the unique ability to connect us with our communities in ways that nothing else can. Whether through a local mural project, a painting in a gallery, or even art classes in school, it brings people together, fosters discussions, and builds relationships. It’s a bridge to understanding diverse perspectives. 

For me, art has helped me bond with my family—whether it was creating together at home, gifting my work, or seeing my pieces travel through different homes. Recently, one of my paintings was passed from my sister to my nephew’s room, and it hit me how art becomes a piece of family history. It’s not just about the act of creation but about the way art moves through life, preserving memories and telling stories.

"I walked inside my little sister’s house recently, and one thing that always brings me joy is seeing the older paintings on their walls. Some are mine, others are from artists we've acquired over the years, and even pieces passed down from family members. It always feels like one of those connecting stones in our family—like the blankets we’ve passed down, the handmade items that make it into everyone’s home. Sure, you can buy plenty of decor, but there’s something deeper in those birthday presents, Christmas gifts, or handmade treasures for a newborn. This week, holding my nephew and seeing one of my paintings on the wall—a nest and eggs, with turquoise and water tones—made me teary-eyed. It was a reminder of how art connects family in such a profound way, weaving together our lives and experiences.”

Art as a Voice

Art has long been a medium for expressing social, political, and personal stories. It gives a voice to the voiceless, provides comfort, and raises awareness. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and even architecture, art captures the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of people throughout history. It’s how we get the "other side of the story" in history books. So much of what we know about the past comes from what people chose to record through art—textiles, architecture, jewelry, and murals all hold clues to how we once lived. In studying culture and anthropology, I learned that art captures time in a way that’s deeper and more reflective than mere words.

Art in Education: More Than Just a Subject

Art is often seen as “just for creative types,” but it’s essential for everyone, no matter the career path they’re on. Kids first learn to read by looking at pictures, using them as clues to understand text. Visual aids like flashcards, posters, and interactive outdoor learning experiences integrate art into education in ways that make it easier for students to grasp concepts. 

Even for future engineers, doctors, or astronauts, art can be a critical skill. It sharpens observational skills, encourages problem-solving, and builds patience and perseverance. Mistakes happen in art, but they teach us resilience and how to work through challenges—valuable lessons for any field.

Art as Therapy and Comfort

Art has the power to heal. It’s been used in therapy to help people revisit painful memories, express non-verbal thoughts, and calm anxiety. It provides a safe space for reflection and emotional exploration, helping people of all ages. In my own life, art has been a way to capture memories—painting family homes, memorializing lost pets, and even preserving moments with family members no longer with us. 

Whether decorating for the holidays or giving someone a handmade gift, art is a way to bring warmth, love, and intention into spaces and relationships.

Art as a Lifelong Language

Ultimately, art is a language. It’s as complex and beautiful as music or writing, and it continues to evolve with you. Like any language, it takes years to develop and master, but it’s worth it because it gives us the ability to communicate things we might not be able to put into words. And just like music doesn’t get in the way of becoming a teacher or astronaut, art enhances and supports our understanding of the world, no matter what profession we pursue.

Through art, I’ve connected with people across cultures and around the world. It has opened my eyes to different ways of thinking, fostered new friendships, and led to career opportunities I hadn’t imagined.

Art is everywhere. It’s a part of our handwriting, our signature on the world. It’s how we leave our mark, how we preserve stories and history. It’s a language that everyone speaks, whether they realize it or not.

In sharing my story as an artist, teacher, and community member, I hope it’s clear just how much art matters—not just in schools but in life. Art teaches us to see the world differently, to embrace challenges, and to open our minds to new possibilities. And that’s why we need to keep bringing it back into schools and into our lives. Because the world needs more connection, more creativity, and more perspective. Art provides that in ways no other subject can. 

This is my story, and why I believe in the power of art.

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