Since I can remember I have loved art, in all forms. I was raised in an artistic environment. My grandfather was an accomplished painter and draftsman. My parents are alumni of the Rhode Island School of Design and my mother is an art teacher. I used to sit in on private art lessons my mother used to teach in the kitchen of our apartment. I have been surrounded by art my entire life. It has always been my passion.

At North Attleboro High School, I continued with art by taking any class I could with the late Brian Marsden. I also sang and acted. Other than my parents, Mr. Marsden had one of the greatest artistic influences on me. He fueled an interest I had in photography, which I later majored in at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and graduated with a degree in art from Bridgewater State.

I guess I am wondering if you had even heard of Alexandre Iacovleff (other than on the commemoration plate) before this. I don't blame you if you hadn't, I know I hadn't. I can, however, look at his work with a more critical and educated eye than the first time I saw Afghans. Let's take a look at the painting: Color, loose brush-strokes and composition are all expertly utilized by a highly trained and talented artist. Now let us look at the subject matter, Afghans wielding rifles and ammunition belts. Militia? Bandits? Opium smugglers? None of which have to do with North Attleboro's heritage. It may be part of Afghanistan's or even Russia's heritage. The generosity of Mr. Thompson and the "gift" is part of North Attleboro's heritage, not the painting.

I believe Afghans was painted under contract (for money) for the French explorer Citroen during one of his expeditions along the Marco Polo route. The painting came to Boston with Iacovleff while he was director of the painting department at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Then it went to the Vose Gallery in Boston where W. Charles Thompson took possession of it. I do believe the intent of the gift was to inspire the students of North Attleboro. I do believe the appraised value at the time was $3,500; however, finding an American buyer of a 70 square-foot Russian painting would be difficult, as it was during the "Red Scare."

The notoriety of Afghans is now global. I have challenged people to tell me why it is a piece of art. It is not groundbreaking technique. It is not surreal, nor is it a mind-boggling precise rendering. It is impressive due to its size, and it does have some political and social significance, to Afghanistan, Russia, and maybe even France. A condition of the sale of the painting is to have a replica produced to commemorate the generosity of Mr. Thompson. The proceeds of the sale are to be in an established trust from which the interest would fund arts related programs that will inspire and educate the children (and adults) of North Attleboro. If Mr. Thompson truly wanted to help the children of North Attleboro, I think this would be beyond belief.

To hold on to this piece of art as a "possession" is doing a disservice to it and the artist who created it. As an artist, I would be honored if one of my paintings could do so much good for so many.

Art not only inspires but it challenges us. Art makes us look at ourselves and what we are made of. Art creates discussion and debate. Art is a vehicle for our passions and our philosophies to be shared with one another. The sale of this painting will allow our children and their children to learn what art is and why it is important. Just having a great painting won't do that.

CHRISTOPHER FROST is a member of the North Attleboro School Committee and he read this statement during a recent meeting.