Acts of Transformation: from War Toys to Peace Art

Olympic Truce Art displayed at the Port Moody Library during the 2010 Winter Olympics

Peace Art displayed at Ten Thousand Villages store during the 2010 Olympics

Peace Art currently on display at the New Westminster Library, with Montana King, the artist responsible for setting up the display

These photos are from the Olympic Torch Family Celebration and Olympic Truce Ring held at UBC on February 11, 2010

School Happenings

Moody Update - At the June 12, 2007 City of Port Moody council meeting, a group of Moody students came out to present the city with a "peace art" garbage can that was decorated by many of the children. We would like to especially thank Councillor Mike Clay for initiating and supporting this project by bringing us cleaned cans to paint, paint and painting supplies.

The children also asked mayor and council if they would invoke the Olympic Truce. In an unprecedented move, council decided not to defer this to another meeting but to vote on it then. They did and unanimously passed the resolution to support the truce. They will also ask the provincial and national group of municipalities to invoke the truce among the various members as well. We were absolutely thrilled with the results! The City of Port Moody is helping to create a culture of peace for the children of the world!

Thank-you to all the parents and students who came to the meeting last night and to all the children who assisted in painting the cans.

Olympic Truce

I, therefore, solemnly appeal to all States to demonstrate their commitment to peace in the world by observing the Olympic Truce during the XXVIII Olympic Games in Athens. While conflicts in the world will not cease overnight, if we could have peace for sixteen days, then, maybe, just maybe, we could have it forever

Iraq Bans War Toys

Iraq Bans War Toys -link

Kilmer Elementary School

As a student teacher I was excited to take on the War Toys to Peace Art project under the guidance of my mentor teacher at Kilmer Elementary. I felt that it was a wonderful way to bridge the gap between the war and hatred in the world and the sheltered loving lives that my students live. The children were able to see that using their toys in violent ways is not the answer. Using the children’s violent toys in such a proactive and meaningful manner truly struck a chord with my grade ones and twos. The insight that these little people shared when discussing our piece of art were truly remarkable. The children commented on how they felt proud of themselves for making a piece of art that told their schoolmates to choose peaceful solutions instead of violent actions. This project meshed perfectly with our unit on respect and kindness. The pride that my students exuded after displaying their artwork in the hallway was an amazing experience. Students from other classes were grouped around the project talking about it, asking questions and appreciating it. My students were very proud and protective over the message that it stood for. The message of this artwork truly affected the students who walked by it on a daily basis. I feel very lucky to have experienced this program with a young group of students. It showed me there are very meaningful beneficial art projects that can be taken on, adapted and used across the curriculum which can leave a lasting impression on children. Kerri Haddon