The best companions are books alone

This collection supports and promotes awareness to the important mission and framework of the Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Coalition's focus on the lasting power of the written word and the arts in support of the free expression of ideas, the preservation of shared cultural spaces, and the importance of responding to attacks, both overt and subtle, on artists, writers, and academics working under oppressive regimes or in zones of conflict, despite the destruction of that literary/cultural content.

"I am an artist, art historian, teacher, and writer who has lived and worked on both coasts and in Europe. A lifelong love of drawing is the basis for my art, including works on paper and handmade artist books. My love and deep knowledge of history and art provide inspiration and subject matter, and in my work you can find the two sides of my nature - a witty, lighthearted sense of play balanced by a serious examination of the possibilities of meaning in art. I find line and color are inspirations in themselves, as are the feel of a pen in my hand and the possibilities of a clean sheet of paper. I exhibit my work in galleries, juried shows, and online, I write about art, culture, and travel for local and national publications and on my award-winning blog, ArtSmartTalk, and I teach art history and the history of children's literature at Drexel University's Pennoni Honors College. I offer talks to small and large groups about a wide range of art and art history themes that encompass the traditions and styles of art of many different cultures and time periods. My emphasis in teaching is on the ways that art unites us as humans - the enthusiastic responses of my audiences assure me that the talks are both entertaining and informative"--The artist's website (viewed July 2, 2015).