Can Art Save the Human Race?

Photo by: Lisa L Peters ©

Art emerges at the intersection of reality, imagination, dissonance, and emotion. The best work is created when all of these elements collide. Comfort and complacency are the enemies of the artist. And that's why only the truly brave, the odd, the mildly insane can hang in the realm of pure creation.

Throughout history it has been the artists, the creators, the innovators who transcend the ugliness of the human condition. These heroes transform tragedy into understanding...forge flames into beauty...and connect us through their own suffering and sacrifice.

Once upon a time, we celebrated art. It was taught in our schools. It was funded, solicited, and commissioned. It was valued not only as a product but for its transformational process. Because the child who can see the world differently grows up to be the adult who creates a different world. Artists are better problem solvers, critical thinkers, big picture visionaries, and humanitarians.

So, can art save the human race?

The answer is a resounding and historically proven, "YES!"

In fact, it already has. Time and time again.

A more important question to ask is this: Will art save the human race?

And the answer to that is simple: Only if the human race chooses to save art.