"What began as a creative and emotional outlet has become more than a career. It’s part of my identity, and it’s how I can connect with other people who might have felt the way I have at some point. I like to think that’s why people purchase my work — they see a part of themselves in my paintings. They hang my art on their wall, and it grows with them."
The arts and cultural sector contributed $804.2 billion or 4.3 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016. This represents an increase of .1 percent from 2015 when economists reported that the sector added 4.2 percent or $763.6 billion to the U.S. economy. The 4.3 percent contribution for 2016 is part of the latest report of the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA), produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the…
"Everyone wants a purpose. Sometimes, it takes a while to find it and sometimes you haven’t had the opportunity to develop it, but it’s there. I like to call it 'finding your personal rhythm.'"
"We crave connection, and I think that is what theatre is all about — connecting stories to audiences and, more importantly, finding the common experiences and emotions that connect us all."
"Inclusivity is important. I’m really proud of how diverse our group is and that our girls get to experience diversity on all kinds of levels: gender identity, socioeconomic status, religion, and race. They are building relationships with others they may not have connected with under ordinary circumstances, and we volunteers get to watch those relationships grow."