Youth Peace Art Takes Off

1: Aubrey B., Kuumba Academy (See below for artist’s statement.)

Pacem in Terris’ 2024–2025 Traveling Peace Youth Art exhibitions will soon appear in public spaces across Delaware. A jury of local artists chose 75 works from January’s spectacular exhibit of 600 pieces at the Wilmington Library.

Works for these traveling exhibitions were created by young artists at more than 25 schools and community centers. Each original work has been reproduced as a high-quality digital print, then framed and hung by Pacem staff and volunteers. Collectively, they bring an energetic and hopeful vision of what peace looks like in youth’s imagination—in their families, their schools, their communities, and everyone’s world.

Traveling shows will be exhibited at 22 locations, including Nemours Children’s Hospital, The Grand, University of Delaware OLLI, Legislative Hall, State Service Centers, and State Courthouses. Based on estimates of foot traffic in these locations, up to 100,000 people could view Pacem’s Traveling Peace Art shows during 2024–2025.

The honorary co-chairs for the traveling exhibitions are Tina Betz, Wilmington’s Director of Cultural Affairs, and Tracey Quillen Carney, the First Lady of Delaware.

Pacem in Terris will host a public open house for these young artists, their families, and their teachers at the Blue Ball Barn on Wednesday, April 24, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. All of the traveling works will be on display—and friends of Pacem are welcome to join us!

2: Noah M, Tatnall School (See below for artist’s statements.)

Pacem in Terris is grateful to all who participate in this beloved program—now in its ninth year. We thank our teachers, volunteers, and the Delaware Division of the Arts and Laffey-McHugh Foundation, which have provided ongoing financial support. But…Pacem’s Traveling Peace Youth Art is currently underfunded.

We’ve launched an exciting sponsorship initiative to broaden the base of support for this vital program, which touches dozens of communities and many hundreds of young people each year.

Would your organization or business like to be more closely associated with these exhibits? Individuals may also become sponsors. Learn more about how to sponsor one of Pacem’s most beloved initiatives

Clockwise from upper left: 3, 4, 5, 6

Artist Statements

1. Aubrey B. — Kuumba Academy

Art Teacher: Stephanie Morton

“What a peaceful world looks like, is people from all around the world helping each other with their problems and issues. My art depicts a peaceful world by people helping or solving world problems…. I used different skin colors to represent the different races of people and showed some of them with disabilities, bruises, skin conditions and some healthy, all working together.”

3. Noah M. – Tatnall School

Art Teacher: Nichola McDermott

“A peaceful world is everyone working together.”

3. Noel C. – Tatnall School

Art Teacher: Samantha Salazar

“I’ve always found peace in the quest for knowledge. The ability to share and uplift others has always driven my passion to learn. The things you can learn through others are far more valuable than any textbook. This search for knowledge is what brings us all together as humans, whether we help teach one another or we assist each other in discovery…. School might come off as a competition to be the best and smartest however everyone learns when we guide each other on our own quest for knowledge. Peers helping peers is the method to a peaceful world.”

4. Alyssa D – Mount Pleasant High School

Art Teacher: Michelle Statella

“My vision of a peaceful world could be a lot of things. But in my eyes, the

number one priority is to have a healthy environment for all types of people. Making the world an accepting place for everyone regardless of skin color, relationships, sexual identity, gender, ethnicity, religion, style of clothes/hair, is essential for a peaceful world to exist. The world can be cruel, but we can all

show respect and love to those who don’t normally get that.”

5. Anya D – Newark High School

Art Teacher: Jamie Moore

My idea of a culture of peace is somewhere where people get along, and where they can live together without hating each other. Nature would also be a big part of it, because to me nature is peaceful. The sun, the plants. The sun is the source of all life, all energy. To me that is peaceful and also quite beautiful…. I want the viewer to feel hopeful when they see this painting. I want them to feel like people can get along.”

6. Suemeyya I – Tarbiyah School

Art Teachers: Dr. Latif, Faiza Sultana, Ladan Saraj

Peace can be heard and seen in every language.

Community Listening Circles Continue

Thank you to all who attended our March Community Listening Circle.

One recent participant wrote, “However good we are at listening and feeling compassion, there’s room for improvement. Doing things like the Circles helps.” Another observed that “deep listening can evoke more understanding and compassion for others.”

Our next Community Listening Circle is Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 6:30-8:00 pm,

in the Pacem office at 1801 N. Jefferson St., Wilmington, DE 19802.

Advance registration is required. Questions? Call (302) 656-2721

We’re grateful for your support of Pacem

We raised $2,935 on March 7 & 8 through Do More 24 Delaware. Your generous support earned Pacem in Terris the following awards and prizes:

United Way of Delaware Magic Hour Challenge

Pursuit of Equity Donation Bonus Prize, Small Nonprofit Division

Discover Bank Community Impact Prize, Small Nonprofits