Whirled
Peace
The Evolution of Pinwheels for Peace
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Join us every year on September 21, International Day of Peace
The idea was simple: Take square pieces of paper and create pinwheels of all shapes and sizes. As part of the cre-
ation process, write thoughts about
war and peace, tolerance, and living
in harmony with others on one side.
On the other side, draw, paint, collage,
etc. to visually express your feelings.
Assemble these pinwheels and on
International Day of Peace, September
21st, “plant” the pinwheels outside
at public places as a statement and
art installation. The spinning of the
pinwheels in the wind will spread
thoughts and feelings about peace
throughout the country and maybe
even the world!
website,
pinwheelsforpeace.com.
The reaction was incredible! When we
returned home, there were hundreds
of e-mails waiting for us from interested participants. The enthusiasm
of the art education community was
as amazing as it was contagious! Art
teachers joined the project and then
spread the word to others and the project grew by leaps and bounds.
It’s amazing how in just five years
a simple idea has grown into an international project that has millions of
participants. On September 21, 2009,
more than three million pinwheels
were spinning in more than thirty-seven countries around the world.
Throughout the years, we’ve heard
wonderful stories of what the project
has done for art advocacy and how it
has united students, schools, and communities. The Pinwheels for Peace
project has become the first big school
event of the year in many schools. It
has not only been a peace movement,
Triarco Arts & Crafts
School Arts
2009 Logo for full year
SA900T
NASCO ARTS & CRAFTS DIVISION
School Arts
Full Year - Logo
Key Code: SA900
but it has also become part of anti-bullying and anti-violence campaigns.
The project has led to the creation
of 10 Days of Peace (10daysofpeace.
com) at our school. Beginning on September 11, we create powerful multi-day experiences and activities with
an impetus and movement for peace
in our school and in our community.
Each of the 10 Days of Peace brings a
different focus on anti-violence and
anti-bullying to our student body and
is the start of a yearlong campaign for
caring and compassion. Our students
seem more considerate and have a
better understanding of one another’s
feelings. After the 10 Days of Peace,
we celebrate our diversity and dreams
when we join millions of others
around the world to plant our Pinwheels for Peace.
Please join us yearly on September
21, International Day of Peace, as we
make a visual public statement about
peace with Pinwheels for Peace.
