ArtPEACE, an eight month collaborative campaign of the City’s Human Dignity office and The Creativity Network, had its official launch yesterday as part of a kickoff for the citywide celebration of Cultural Diversity Month. Antonio Pedro Ruiz and Sumire Gant, co founders of the Creativity Network, presented Peace Trees, unveiled a 40′ Peace banner, and announced a significant presence at University by the Sea, taking place this Sunday, October 5th, from 10 AM until 10 PM.
At U-Sea, the City’s only official Art Park is being transformed into ArtPEACE Park, where creative organizations as diverse as Alive Theatre, Long Beach Shakespeare Company, Downtown YMCA’s Youth Institute, and The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse will share artmaking, workshops, and performances. There will also be a “Peace Tree” where participating young people can construct and hang messages of peace.
Another U-Sea event is MOMENTUM, where ArtPEACE will partner with L.A.M.P. (Leadership Academy Mentoring Program) of the Long Beach Community Action Partnership, utilizing video production and editing equipment to produce a series of Public Service messages on the ArtPEACE themes of Respect, Harmony, Unity and Cultural appreciation and understanding.
ArtPEACE will continue to work with local artists and organizations to facilitate peace-focused creative programs for the City’s children and teens. The campaign will culminate in the Unity Festival in May of 2009.