Art dissolves boundaries and feeds minds.

Imagine a world without art, creativity or imagination. Everything would be made up of straight lines, no colors and no life. People everywhere from Canton to Chicago would all think the same, look the same, act the same, talk the same, and do everything the exact same way. Imagine how dull our world would be without art and free expression.

Luckily, we don't have to live in this black and white world. We are surrounded by art, creativity and imagination, and people are free to act, think, look and express themselves however they want. You can say we live in a world of "soft boundaries", where ideas can pass freely between people, flow through communities, and cross between subjects--from math to music, fine arts to chemistry. Soft boundaries permit us to think without constraints, push our imaginations to the limit and explore every possibility. Soft boundaries allow children and adults, students and teachers, schools and communities to collaborate for a common good--art.

Here's an example: think of your brain or the world we live in as a house. But instead of being made of hard, strong materials like bricks and wood, it's made out of something soft like clouds or bubbles. These "walls" let ideas, information and even people pass through easily and often. Nothing is blocked from entering and there is a constant exchange of thoughts and experiences. It sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?

Soft boundaries encourage you to go even further than you have already gone by focusing on the classroom and creating an even better learning environment for yourself. By going beyond your school curriculum, you are invited to channel your creative energies into something positive. It can also be fun!

Now, imagine what school would be like without art class or music or literature. Math, science, history and grammar are certainly important, but isn't drawing and painting and using your imagination just as important? Without art, school probably wouldn't be too fun.

Art will help you think creatively, observe, question, analyze and to think above and beyond the norm. Art promotes visual learning, which helps you better understand the world and its structure.

So, be thankful for art and never take it for granted. And, let's be sure your parents do the same.

Eldon Katter, PhD, is editor of SchoolArts Magazine and past president of the National Art Education Association.