CONTRIBUTED Mead School teacher Lisa Toto, is holding Pinwheels for Peace created by the students to celebrate International Peace Day on Sept. 21, 2011.
Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan of Coconut Creek, Florida. It is 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 throughout the world were spinning approximately 500,000 pinwheels on Sept. 21. Last year there were more than 3.5 million pinwheels spreading peace.
This project is non-political but makes a powerful statement. The idea is that peace doesn’t necessarily have to be associated with the conflict of war, but it can also be related to promoting nonviolence, tolerance and 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 Webster 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.”
Principal Terri Goldson said: “This is a great way for our kids to stretch their creativity, become socially aware of the world around them, make a statement and try to make a difference.”
Under the direction of art teacher Lisa Toto, Mead School children will create pinwheels of all shapes and sizes. As part of the creation process they will draw, paint, assemble and make collages to visually express their feelings. On International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, they will “plant” their pinwheels on the front lawn of Mead School at approximately 8 a.m.
If you happen to be in Ansonia near Mead School on September 21st, keep a lookout for the pinwheels. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread good thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the valley, country and the world!
For more information, go to http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com or contact Lisa Toto at Mead School (203) 736‑5090.
