Sara Byars is a talented artist with a knack for helping you discover the perfect piece for your space. Sara has been painting most of her life and enjoys how the right piece of art can set off a space and fill the missing elements. A unique talent of Sara's is connecting with people and painting a piece that seems to come from the throne of Heaven. Sara also offers custom art for your nursery, office or home.

"I love art and I love people, especially kids. It's a rewarding thing to be able to inspire children to explore their creativity. Kids are expected to grow up so fast these days, they lose their innocence and imagination too quickly. I see art as an avenue for self expression and a deeper connection with self that is lost in day to day life. I'd love the opportunity to spend time with your children and help them discover art."

Creativity lives in all of us. Some children are fortunate to have their creativity nurtured from an early age. Their parents and teachers recognize the value of the creative process. They help their imaginations to soar by providing opportunities to think, create, discover, problem solve and build confidence.

These creative children grow into creative adults who invent, imagine, problem solve, create and communicate in fresh new ways. Doesn't the world need more creative thinkers? Those with strong creative abilities will bring new ideas and solutions to our world.

Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) reports that young people who consistently participate in wide-ranging arts programs are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

This study* indicated that involvement in the arts can have long-reaching benefits. But the short term benefits are impressive, as well. According to Abrakadoodle’s creator Mary Rogers, M.Ed., children can actively develop their unique creativity in a well-developed program like Abrakadoodle. “We designed Abrakadoodle to build upon a child’s natural creativity, imagination and curiosity. It’s important that children have the freedom to express their ideas through color, line, shape and form using a wide range of materials and media. In the process they learn much more than artistic techniques. They also learn to find solutions to problems or challenges, improve fine motor skills, experiment and take chances, develop a richer vocabulary, appreciate art from different perspectives and more.”

Jessica Davis, founding director of the Harvard Graduate School’s Arts in Education Program, agrees. “When we educate children in the arts, we provide them another way to communicate and comprehend their world.”