Why are the ARTS so IMPORTANT?

The Franklin Guild, Inc., P. O. Box 792, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151

Look At This Picture...

Think About What Is Truly Happening.

Is This Really An Investment That Is Worthy of Your Support?

Look at this photograph of a nine year old boy. It might be your son, a relative or the child of a close friend. Consider his posture as he ponders and fleshes-out a visual idea captured in his mind. Look at his hands as they clutch tightly to the tools of his expression. This is the power of art and creative thought in action.

Creativity is a lucrative investment that can result in enormous dividends, but it must be cultivated, nurtured, facilitated and most of all, rewarded. Think about this young boy and the vehicle for expression that he is so intent upon. The simple drawing that he struggles to extract from his thoughts may well be the opening of a flood-gate of ideas! If these ideas are rewarded and encouraged what might they become?

He is only nine years old, but in nine more years he will be ready to enter adulthood, off to college or looking for a job. Could the moment captured in this photograph mark a turning-point in his life?

Perhaps the opportunity to unlock the creative potential of this one young boy might result in hundreds of new jobs, wide recognition and enhanced economic stability for Franklin County. What do you think?

This young boy may create something new. Someday soon, he may create a new design for cabinetry or new design for a line of furniture and bring that idea back to Franklin County for development and production. He might take his creative energy and apply it to fashion design and single-handedly reestablish an industry in Franklin County. He may become an architect and his labor of love may be a spectacular building built in Rocky Mount. He could easily become an artist, a designer or an engineer and establish his career in his home county and by doing so create jobs, commerce and recognition for his community. The freedom to create and to express ideas might enable him to write a novel, a play or a screenplay about his Franklin County and our way of life. Or, perhaps he is a musician, a composer or a song writer and he will assimilate his creative expression in a song or piece of music that will memorialize Franklin County for the gratification of us all.

Who knows what is happening and coming alive in the mind of this young boy? Who knows what talents are finding a fledging voice?

The Franklin Guild is very interested in helping to find out! And, if you're thinking about supporting the arts in Franklin County, take another long look at this photograph. While you are thinking, think about every successful business in the history of United States Commerce and the single creative vision that stood behind it!