The
McCord Gallery & Cultural Center (Illinois, USA) is inviting
children and families of all ages to participate in a global activity
that has brought people together for the common goal of making their
world a more peaceful place.
The
late artist Matt Lamb created the Umbrellas for Peace global art
project after the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the World Trade
towers and the Pentagon. In May of 2002 he met with 38 children of
the victims of the terror attack, and they painted umbrellas using
them to express their feelings of grief, and to find their hopes and
dreams. A painted umbrella parade followed in Washington, D.C. , and
since then over 2 million children and adults from 29 countries have
participated in the Umbrellas for Peace program.
Matt
Lamb often explained that he used the umbrella as a metaphor for
protection,
"It
does not discriminate and all people are safe under the umbrella. A
closed umbrella lying on the ground is nothing, but pick it up and
open it and the top becomes a shelter and can also be representative
of hopes, dreams and aspirations. The underside of the umbrella can
be a place to park your concerns and fears. The shaft of the umbrella
represents the universal energy, which leads to the spokes that
represent the individual’s strengths. Umbrellas for Peace helps
children and adults use art to express their positive emotions by
painting them onto the umbrella. The individual will artistically
design umbrellas that represent their values of world peace. It
teaches children peace, hope, love and creativity."
If
you are in Illinois, USA, once again this program is being offered to
children and adults of all ages. McCord art instructors will be on
hand to guide the creative process.You can be part of it, enroll now
by either stopping by the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, at
9602 W. Creek Road (129th and La Grange Road) in Palos Park or phone
671-0648.
(McCord
thanks the Great Lakes, Bank of Choice for its sponsorship of this
project.)
Program
schedule:
Four
days to choose from with all classes running from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m.: Monday, July 9; Wednesday, July 11; Monday, July 30; and
Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Fee
is $5 and includes an umbrella and paints. This project culminates
with an opportunity for all to march with your umbrellas in the
Autumn in the Park parade to be held in Palos Park on September 15th,
2012. This is an event that shouldn’t be missed.
