A new after-school program in West Asheville, Creative Peacemakers, encourages children to “practice peacemaking through cooperative play and creative expression,” according to one of the organizers, Noel Schwartz, who describes the program below:
Bringing our children together to practice creative peacemaking
Given the ongoing conflicts in the world today and on the streets of America, it is evident that the time is right to implement a curriculum for peaceful living. Children are innately creative and willing to try new things, unencumbered by preconceived ideas and prejudices.
Creative Peacemakers is a new, innovative after-school program in West Asheville at the Center for Art and Spirit at St. George. Children in K-3 gather on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after school until 5:30 p.m. Enrollment is open (creativepeacemakers.com).
The arts are a universal language. Through image, color, music, dance, poetry and other creative modalities, it is possible to cross difficult human boundaries like race, economic status and faith in the common goal of a peaceful, abundant life for all. And Asheville is well known for its community of talented artists. We will engage local artists as guest teachers, allowing the children to interact with professional artists and sample a wide variety of creative artistry. We hope that the artists as well as the children will benefit from this encounter in using the arts for peacemaking.
The program provides a nurturing place for children to live into our motto: We are Peacemakers. We are loving, kind, and gentle. We are patient, faithful, and joyful. We are generous and full of self-control.
Our mission is to bring peace to our communities by helping our children practice peacemaking through cooperative play and creative expression. The program encourages peacemaking skills through the emphasis of four themes:
• Peace for Me — helps children discover wonder and beauty within themselves, where peace begins.
• Peace for Us — explores daily relationships stressing cooperation, conflict resolution and compassionate communication; promotes understanding and respect for diverse traditions.
• Peace for Everyone — encourages justice thinking and actions and demonstrates the possibilities for peace within and among groups of diverse people.
• Peace for Our Planet — addresses environmental care and appreciation (based on works of Kelly Guinan).
For International Day of Peace (Sept. 21), the children made Pinwheels for Peace for the celebration. They created pinwheels, writing thoughts about “war and peace/tolerance/living in harmony with others” on one side. On the other side, drawings visually expressed feelings about these issues. Pinwheels were planted as a public statement and art exhibit/installation. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace in the community!
By participating in this foundational life enrichment program, the children will develop a strong sense of self and confidence in their ability to make a difference for good and become compassionate leaders in the family, school, community and world.
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