In a world that often feels divided, I have been reflecting on the power we hold to create, connect, and influence others via art. Recently, I have come to believe more strongly than ever that art is not just decoration; it is a catalyst for transformation. Art has the power to bring a community together, amplify weaker voices and connect people across time and cultures.  We at CV Art and Frame, intend to incorporate the themes of community, peace, diversity, and love into our 2026 business strategy.  As we move into the future, we will look for opportunities to positively influence individual and public spaces to foster feelings of togetherness with the desire to unite.

Art has the unique capacity to turn a negative situation into a positive one. It allows us to speak in colors and shapes when words are not enough to express our hopes for a better future. By coming together to create, we move beyond fear and conflict, and in its place, build bridges of understanding and love.

As we reflect on capturing the positive feelings of unity via art, there is an expansion of compassion, forgiveness and tolerance that transcends beyond the art itself.  The influence expands beyond the boundaries of the physical art piece and into our everyday lives and those around us.

As CV Art and Frame introduces art into our private & public spaces—whether through a vibrant mural on a neglected wall, a collaborative sculpture, a community-driven art project, or a bare wall in your home — we are doing more than changing the scenery. We are creating a “living, breathing” space that promotes reflection, compassion, beauty, and even unity.

I invite you to view the gallery’s upcoming art pieces by Toni Bardet not just as pieces of art, but as a message of love to our community. His paintings are a combination of strength and fragility, chaos and order, destruction and rebirth.  Every brushstroke echoes a turbulent past but also stands as proof that art has the power to transform, rebuild, and ultimately, save. They are a reminder that when we nurture love within ourselves and our individual spaces, it ripples outward, creating more peace and serenity in our surroundings.

Let us, together, be ambassadors of peace through the transformative power of art.

With love, peace, and hope,

Rhonda Crawshaw, Gallery Director CV Art and Frame