Nathalie Lalande

If I could thank anything, I would thank myself 18 years ago for picking up a paint brush for the first time. Or my grandmother for buying me obnoxiously large painting kits. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without it.

Garrett Flanagan

It feels like a pale blue influx of soluble spherical cubes compressed by the thin tucks folds following the pressure of a few waiting weighted-blanket that is the eyelid: chin snug and cold. Life exists on an island. The residual gravitational force propels the cranium sworn to the floor. Polish and all, the new stain looks wondrous.

Allyshia Mohr

writer

I knew art was important when I was in the Philadelphia Art Museum and could not catch up with my friends. I remember standing there and admiring the colors and techniques ad making mental notes of artists to look up later in the library.

Lara Atry

actor

The creative team and department accepted the chaos that was, a theme so aligned with the show, and set out to make something happen.

Kathy McCauley

singer

The purpose of song is to open us up to one another. Music is literally a bridge to bring strangers together. (audio)

Emily Beck

artist

Art is cool, that means it's very fun and creative. (audio)

Marco Calderon

photographer

I realized the best way to learn about me is with a camera in my hands. (audio)

Michael Barnett

Each one of us has the capacity to express ourselves and share our stories. I feel that this is the most beautiful and healthiest way to live.

Tom Lubben

educator

Art Matters in the lives of children.

Sue Berkenstock

glass artist

When I was young, my hands were always busy- always making something…..that was me. I just loved it when my Mom made paste out of flour and water for my artistic ventures and I always had some sort of needlework to occupy me on long family road trips.

Samantha Merrill

I have learned that I am a creative person and that I want to fulfill in a creative field. I want to show people who I am and make a positive impact in someone’s life. Through the arts is certainly the way I want to pursue my personal goal.

Lauren Beck

graphic designer

I tuned into the art being created all around me. I began to wake up. Hadn’t I been a part of this community once? Could I do it again? Is there even a place for me? (+ audio)

Natalie Searl

photographer

By carrying my camera with me at all times I'm able to photograph those sights which will never come again. I have passed on to others how to be in the zone of appreciating what they see.

Bonnie Winfield

art therapist

We finished the piece with words and images. We stood back and admired our creation and knew this was a process of healing.

Maya Rodgers

photographer

My love for photography led me to a greater passion for graphic design, where I one day hope to pursue a career in a digital medium that I have grown to love.

Kelsey Fowler

actor

The arts are representation - representation leads to acceptance, and acceptance to inclusion. That’s what the arts mean to us.

Lauren Balbierer

I feel that being early acquainted with the arts has exposed me to the endless benefits that can be provided through freedom of expression.

Caitlin McCabe

stage manager

Without theatre, I probably would still be as shy and quiet as I once was. Theatre has given me the confidence to command a room, make decisions and share my opinions. It has also given me the best friends I could ever ask for, and memories and experiences to last a lifetime.

Tiffany Vizcaino

visual artist

I love to be able to draw almost anything because, it's something new and challenging to me.

Anthony Ramos

graphic designer

During a lecture in my first semester of college my professor changed the way I view art. He went on talking about how art had been around for centuries due to its indispensable benefits to humankind. (+ audio)

Mary Ann Dunwoodie

painter

Painting has given me a second sight and I don’t feel depressed anymore.

Patricia Kennedy

The creative instinct ignited in me at a very young age when my grandmother determined that doing arts & crafts projects had a certain calming affect on me. (+ audio)

Elise Schaffer

arts administrator

There were so many times that I wanted to quit. Learning an instrument is insanely difficult! But, thankfully I had a mother passionate about arts and music. (+ audio)

Ziera Soda

dancer

Through my emotion dance becomes a therapeutic remedy. (+ audio)

Kayleigh Scott

dancer

I was having a lot of social problems with my friends and felt like an outcast. But at dance I found a family.

Greyson Gerdts

This is just an example of the many ways my parents have helped me follow my dreams and passions. If it weren’t for my parents and dance, I wouldn’t be where I am now!

Jenna Tormey

dancer

Being involved in the arts has opened up a window of amazing opportunities that have prepared me for whatever life has in store.

Bailey Gordner

dancer

I am not a girl of many words. I'd rather listen than to talk. I found that through dancing, it has allowed me to find my own voice and express in a way words never could for me.

Richard Hurd

pastor

The thing is, I don't think most people associate what a pastor does with a sermon is so similar to a stage monologue. (+ audio)

Melissa Marino

Although I do not have a clear memory of my first dance recital, I have been told that it was an interesting performance...

James D. Craig

musician

All the musicians I knew and respected told me to forget about a career in music - except for one man...

Rich Homa

painter

Art brings sort of a nostalgia to me, it connects me to the past. (+ audio/video)

Mandy Gero

Art is my heart being poured out, and a lot of the prayers being poured out as well. (+ audio/video)

Todd Watkins

Art, music, and theatre -- it's all a part of my existence, it happens almost every day. (+ audio/video)

Jane Heft

It's just a different way of moving my brain. (+ audio/video)

Dr. Tina Q. Richardson

I don't consider myself an artist, but I surround myself with creative and artistic individuals...it adds flair and excitement to my life. (+ audio/video)

Kate Brandes

painter

There’s something inherently intimate about painting someone’s portrait...it’s trying to capture the spirit of that person in the moment. (+ audio)

Bill George

actor

And then, I knew why I was an actor, an artist. To connect my friend with her loved one. To help us transcend the pain and celebrate the glory of life. (+ audio)

Matt Wolf

poet

That was the night, influenced by Ginsberg, Kerouac and that poet at Lafayette, that I started my journey writing poetry. (+ audio)

Dominic Singleton

drawer

Career day for me was never as exciting because out of all these choices I could never make a decision. I knew that I wanted to help people, but I wanted to do it in my own special way.

Loren Marquardt

I believe that art and its inspiration surrounds the willing observer.

Barbara Martyska

pianist

I don't remember exactly when I realized that I really needed this music in my life, but at some point I knew I couldn't imagine my life without it. (+ audio)

Alan Levin

Centering the clay is so important, it's like life in general -- if your life is centered, you're good to go.

Renee James

arts administrator

With sincere thanks, the family felt the comfort that only voices raised in song can offer. (+ audio)

Christine Talley

I'd like people to know that folks with disabilities or mental illness are fascinating, valuable contributors to society. (+ audio)

Ann E. Michael

There's no way to "explain" how that works in me, but in the following poem I endeavor to do so by imagining myself as an artwork. (+ audio)

Ava Beck

actor

What if they laugh?  What if they call me names? What if I trip and fall? I worried myself to sleep. (+ audio)

Paula Holoviak

educator

In a time and place where many young people are left behind, Ukrainian folk dance has opened up a world of art, culture, travel and dance to generations of kids. (+ audio)

Matt Snyder

Art is an every day think outside the box sort of thing...

Sonny Hunt

There are so many challenges for families that deal with individuals with autism and/or sensory processing that typical events such as movies, theaters, theme park shows are not enjoyable for even a few minutes.

Alice Yeakel

Music is so often associated with events that, because of the music, are never forgotten.

Randall Forte

actor

Engagement in the arts affects people in deeply quiet ways, and it can be particularly magical for those of us with disabilities. (+ audio)

Kellie Dietrich

Art helped me express myself on one of the most important days of my life: graduation. (+ audio)

Ann Lalik

wearable artist

Jewelry by its very nature of not being a necessity shows us that a person is making a statement about various stations in life, culture, religion, or other identification. (+ audio)

Lisa Higgins

marketer

What could be better than working with people dedicated to stories that must be told?

Ruth Knafo Setton

author

If we explore fearlessly, without a map destination, open to every interesting path and mysterious alley, we reawaken our sense of astonishment...

Noberto Dominguez

One brush, one stroke, one step, one line, the loving guidance of one hand. (+ audio)

Nora Suggs

flutist

Playing music with friends and colleagues is a great joy, and when the audience becomes entwined in the music as well, it’s even more exciting.

Shawn Hager

musician

I am a solo Indie Alt.Rock artist from the Lehigh Valley. I started back in 2006 when my wife fell sick and I was trying anything I could to make money to help save her.

Holly Gage

jewelry sculptor

I found my freedom through artistic expression. As a dyslexic Jewelry Sculptor, my written communication can be cumbersome... (+ audio)

Sarah Carlson

dancer

I am a dancer. I speak with my body. Sometimes, the act of moving can bring me - and those who are watching me - to a new understanding.

Patty Passick

visual artist

As my 4th graders worked on their clay projects, one student said, "When I do this, I feel more alive!"

Tara Santoro

illustrator

For me art was always an escape. As a kid I could be found in my room with my dog at my side, a reem of green and white lined paper or gigantic coloring book with a large box of crayons. (+ audio)

Ronald Demkee

conductor

I serve as conductor of the Allentown Band because it is important work that is unquestionable and unequivocally stimulating, challenging, and gratifying...

Nancy Scott

poet

It started with the open reading at Godfrey Daniels. I read two poems, as a blind writer reading from Braille. I didn’t die. Later, I got the call asking me to feature-read.

Mandy Gero

painter

Alert and Alive inside, Colors moving forth...

Jude Chase

Seven and a half years ago, I was crossing the street on a rainy day and the creek was rising. I little old lady was driving by, looking at the creek and not at me. (+ audio)

Deborah Hamsho

fiber artist

I pronounce the annunciation: I AM AN ARTIST of fibrous hues. (+ audio)

Angela Faidley

painter

When I stand in front of a class I look out and see bright eyes looking to for inspiration and guidance. The responsibility is overwhelming, empowering, frightening, and heady. (+ audio)