Al.com: "The arts are as basic to their way of life"

Today's selection comes from a website that actually combines content from several news outlets in Alabama. This particular quote comes from Jon Busdeker's article, "Alabama State Council on the Arts director Al Head talks to the Times", in the Hunstville Times. The quote in its entirety is actually the response to a question from a Q&A:

"
Q: Looking ahead, where are the arts in Alabama headed?

The arts in Alabama, as part of a movement nationally, are headed for a time where "The Arts Matter". This is a slogan picked-up by the National Endowment for the Arts and is being promoted and used as a way of emphasizing the relevance of the arts to people, communities, states and the country. As we continue to evolve as a civilized people we realize increasingly that we live by more than bread alone. Certainly one of the purposes of government has to be the protection and enhancement of the quality of life for its people. Clearly, quality of life means different things to different people but, it is hard to talk about quality of life without including the arts. In education, economic development or the simple act of celebrating life, the arts matter. In Italy, where Alabama has started a cultural exchange, it is unthinkable for Italians to envision a life without the arts. The arts are as basic to their way of life as good food, a roof over their head and close-knit families. When people from other states and other countries visit Alabama they are always surprised to experience such a rich artistic environment. In the future we need for the arts not to be such a pleasant surprise but rather, a primary reason for coming."

Follow the link below for the full article:

Alabama State Council on the Arts director Al Head talks to the Times

CT: "I love this way of life"

Today's quote is from the 13th paragraph of Loretta Gillespie's article, "The spiritual side of art", in the Cullman Times:

"“I love this way of life. I garden, paint, and work with my pottery, and I travel when I want to,” he smiled. Abbott is notorious for leaving baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables at the fellowship hall of his church, and at the doorsteps of his friends and neighbors, as special gifts."

Follow the link below for the full article:

The spiritual side of art

MB: "images that revolve around the Filipino way of life"

This quote is from the 6th paragraph from the article, "Imelda Cajipe-Andaya: A Filipina’s Social Engagement" in today's issue of the Manila Bulletin:

"This longing for national identity led Endaya to engulf herself in images that revolve around the Filipino way of life and traditions. Apart from the nationalist perspective that Endaya incorporates into her work, she also burdens herself with the responsibility of pursuing the advancement of feminine identity in her arts. “I draw inspiration from my day to day experience and the history of women before me. Women need voices and it needs to be projected, it needs to be heard,” Endaya stresses."

Follow the link below for the full article:

Imelda Cajipe-Andaya: A Filipina’s Social Engagement