Had enough of Wall Street’s gyrations over the last couple of weeks? Are you having nightmares over the toxic financial soup about to devour our children’s economic futures? Wondering what to tell your Congressional representative about what to do with those opaque default credit swaps? Worried about where the $700 billion is coming from? I am.

However, sometimes we just have to take a break from the chaotic world that we’ve helped create. And, what better way than to take in some original art. I’m surrounded by the collective works of around 30 local artists. Their art soothes and inspires and gives me hope that creative expression can help smooth the hard edges off these troubled times. Art historians generally agree that really great art usually springs from times of immense change and turmoil — so artists get to work, now is your time!

Some artists never miss a beat. Just take a look at this familiar work by artist Laura Gilbert. Laura specializes in painting and printmaking. She has an upcoming exhibition at the Grady Alexis Gallery in New York, opening on October 24, and includes her (worthless) “Zero Dollar” prints. The show is aptly titled, ”Money, Men, and Mischief.” Ironically, Laura’s works may soon fetch a higher face value than the originals!

(ps. I think the Federal Reserve is printing some money too. But is it art?)