Tacoma, Wash. – In today’s world, peace needs to become more than just a word. On September 21, 2013, students attending Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, Wash., plan to take part in an International art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace by “planting” colorful pinwheels with messages of peace on the school’s grounds.Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, of Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. In the first year, groups in over 1,325 locations around the world created and spinning pinwheels on September 21st. In 2012, over 4 million pinwheels were spinning in over 3,500 locations, including the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
Locally, Tacoma art teacher Candy Anderson, who teaches at Charles Wright, introduced the project to her students.
This project is non-political – peace doesn’t necessarily have to be associated with the conflict of war, it can be related to violence/intolerance in our daily lives, to peace of mind. To each of us, peace can take on a different meaning, but, in the end, it all comes down to a simple definition: “a state of calm and serenity, with no anxiety, the absence of violence, freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people.”
Charles Wright Academy Lower School students created pinwheels of all shapes and sizes – as part of the creation process, the students were encouraged to write their thoughts about "war and peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others" on one side. On the other side, they will draw, paint, collage, etc. to visually express their feelings. After assembling the pinwheels, the Charles Wright students were “planted” on the grounds of the school.
International Day of Peace is September 21. The pinwheels will remain on display through the weekend. For more information, go to http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/pinwheelsforpeace/home.html-0-
Charles Wright Academy is a private independent school for college-bound girls and boys in Pre-K through grade 12 on one campus. We are a diverse and inclusive learning community using the power of academic rigor, endless inspiration, and high expectations to help students reach their intellectual, artistic, and athletic best. The 100-acre campus is located in Tacoma and we offer bus service from as far away as Silverdale, South King County, Des Moines, Puyallup, and Olympia. Learn more at charleswright.org