Works of art, whether modern or classical, can provide students with vehicles for communication. Whether a painting ignites a student's imagination while listening to a story or transports him into a cultural or historical situation portrayed by the artist, using art in educators' thematic units can double their chances of having students demonstrate that they can transfer what they are learning into a different context. In this article, the author discusses how art can be a useful tool to help students build communication skills in new language. By tapping into the "art connection", World Language teachers can integrate art into their lessons for multiple purposes. Whether it be to develop vocabulary, interpret stories, create conversations, or to investigate cultural perspectives, integrating art into their thematic units can bring language to life for many students.