We all have one somewhere... nestled between our current busy days and our past history there is a memory. A thought back to a time where we experienced peace. Being pulled onto your momma's lap, dropping money into the can of the man on the corner, sitting on a rock overlooking the mountains, touching the warm cheek of your newborn baby, or ladling love into the bowl of someone in need.We all have them, memories of peace…memories of joy. Memories, pieced together, make up the quilt of our community. Lessons learned, changes made, new dreams and visions come from the stories of our communities.
What is the Peace by Piece Quilt Project?
The Peace by Piece Quilt is an art project sponsored by the
Conflict Resolution Center to increase the community's awareness of and
interest in peace, tolerance, and a spirit of collaboration. The CRC has
brought together over 500 children from a variety of neighborhoods,
communities, and organizations so that each child could create a quilt square
and storyrepresenting what peace means
to each participant.Reflecting the ties
that bind individuals into healthy communities, each of the hundreds of squares
are connected to one another and to a centerpiece containing a universal symbol
of peace, a dove.Now that the quilt has
been fully assembled, it embodies the ideal that when we work together, our diverse
perspectives and worldviews are the pieces that strengthen the fabric of
harmonious, sustainable communities.The
quilt shows that there is endless strength and opportunity within our
communities because people see things
differently.
For this project, children convey their thoughts, ideas, and
dreams about what peace means to them on an 8-inch quilt square.With the help of Kim Weitkamp, a nationally
recognized storyteller, the children were guided through the creative process
using imagery techniques to write a story about peace.Using these stories as a guide, the children
created their quilt squares to reflect or illustrate the peaceful memory or
vision described in their story.
The Peace by Piece
Quilt was on display at the Taubman Museum of art from November 17 through
January 16 and many of the children were able to view their artwork while on
display.Beginning March 5, the Quilt will be on display at Valley View
Mall and remain on display continuously through the end of March.The display will be located directly behind the
childrens' play area on the second floor overlooking the food court.During this time the Conflict Resolution
Center will be offering free information about resources for healthy conflict
resolution as well as educating the public with its 10 Tips for Resolving
Conflict.
Alexander Baynum, age 10, shares his writing about peace at the unveiling of the Peace by Piece Quilt at the Taubman Museum of Art on November 17th, 2009. Alexander is a 5th grader at Salem Montessori School and participated int he project by writing his thoughts aobut peace and creating a quilt square.
Thank you Alexander for your contribution to this project!
See the kids in action! The slide show below contains examples of quilt squares and stories created by children in the Roanoke Valley as well as the artists in action! Click on any of the pictures below to start the show. You will notice that pictures of quilt squares are directly followed by hand-written stories. Each story corresponds with the quilt square previously displayed.
Image:
Thank You for your support! This project has been made possible by contributions from the individuals and organization listed below: Taubman Museum of Art Kim Weitkamp, www.KimWeitkamp.com
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
A.C. Moore, Roanoke, Virginia
Southern Graphic Supply, Roanoke, Virginia
Bron Duncan with Totally Digital Photography
Blue Ridge Copier
Judy McWhorter with Creative Quilting
Liz Frankl of Frankl Creative Group
Participating Groups YMCA, Magic Place Bucket Fillers of Roanoke Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia Henry Street Festival Pride in the Park Katherine Devine's Art Studio 21st Century Community Learning Centers with RCPS Salem Montessori School West End Center Presbyterian Community Center Rescue Mission Dudley Elementary School Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council Boy Scouts of America Blue Ridge Victory Christian Academy Divorce Recovery Workshop Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy The Village Learning Center
If you would like more information about Peace by Piece or if you would like to participate in some way, please complete the form below. Someone will contact you very shortly.
