Today is the first day of the rest of my life and yours too for that matter, so although I’m nine days late for a New Year’s resolution, here I go anywho—in order to form a more perfect union, I declare 2008 to be the year of art, with more art for me, more art for you, and more art for everyone everywhere. God knows we need it, now more than ever. Why? Because art nurtures individuality over conformity. Because art fosters innovation over imitation. Because art is the true uniter speaking across genders, borders, religions, eras, from individual to individual unedited and unexpurgated by institutions or conventions. What member of the human race does not long for more beauty, deeper meaning, greater truth? The pursuit of art is the pursuit of that which makes the soul sing. The appreciation of art makes each leaf come alive. Art activates the right brain and when the world learns to light up that side of our minds, we will begin to light up our world as well, finding new ways to create together, collaborate together, solve together, celebrate together.

Art is the answer.