Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

10 Reasons Why We Need Art "Before the Music Died" © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012   History . Since the dawn of time art has served as a pictorial guide to where we originate from.   From the earliest cave drawings, to religious paintings and everything in between it has served as a way to look back in time and see how different cultures lived, what they went through and how we have grown as a species.        Cultural and political expression . Art serves as a very important purpose when it comes to getting a certain message out. If you look at art from specific cultures you can learn a lot about that culture and the way they live. From longstanding traditions to political views, if it is important to said culture chances are it has been depicted in their art. Street art is a good example of this, as it often expresses the needs of the community in which it originates.       Therapy. Art is proven to be therapeutic, both in the creation of it and in be

  Last night I attended my first gallery opening! The show that I am in is "PLAY" at Harlow Gallery in Hallowell Maine. The object of the show is to Celebrate the Spirit of Play. Artwork that is inspired by children or childhood that is whimsical or humorous. The artwork was chosen by a jury to be placed in the show and the exhibition will be running through April 27th. "Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!!" © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012  Click for Prints   I arrived at 5:00 pm when the opening started and stayed until 7:00, the opening ran until 8:00. We were encouraged to bring food for a pot luck style opening, I brought one of my favorite pasta salads and it was a hit, over a pound and I barely brought home left overs. The food spread was wonderful, fruits, pastries and dips, I tried new things I hadn't tried before. They also offered wine and sparkling water.   Click for Prints of this Painting   The turn out was awesome. The place was packed!! There were