It is all around us. It appears in nature, in the imitation of nature, and in original expressions. One of the most revealing ways that people share their culture is through the arts which are as varied as the cultures that create it. The different forms of visual art reflect what is happening in a nation and in the world. It exists in the form and function of everything on the market and its importance is sometimes taken for granted in the design of such things as apparel, furniture, appliances, technology, vehicles, etc.
Art is universal because it transcends barriers which can exist in the spoken and written word.
Through art, the common threads of humanity and cultural differences are recognized and appreciated. In a world which depends so much on accurate visual interpretation, learners need to interpret the visual experience through an understanding of other subject matter, symbols and ideas. The visual arts give balance to human existence. They are a means used to convey people's emotional reactions to others and the life around them. Art permits people to express who they are and what they feel about the world they live in.