*Sponsored Story*
This week, 29 Pieces is celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary. Their mission is big: to use art to spread love, promote non-violence and create social change. That’s no small task in a world where our news feed tends to fill up with more bad than good lately. As they enter a new decade, founder Karen Blessen showcases how 29 Pieces has made a difference.
1. Great Peacemakers Like You and Me Lesson/Exhibit – In 2009, students created portraits of the world’s top peacemakers, which was displayed at local libraries.
2. INFLUENCE Lesson – In 2010, a collaboration with the Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School led to “INFLUENCE,” which taught young women how to promote peace by displaying their poster art on the theme of peace and conflict resolution.
3. Education Manual – In 2011, the development of an education manual that offers teachers and students everywhere the lessons behind 29 Pieces.
4. IF Lesson – In May 2012, the IF Lesson taught children about homelessness through art, and how they can encourage others to help those in need.
5. Baylor Cancer Center Student Art Exhibition – In May 2012, students from Maya Angelou High School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens brightened up the cancer center at Baylor with their art.
6. Dallas LOVE Project – In 2013, this city-wide project included dozens of community members who used words about love from great peacemakers, artists and musicians as inspiration for the creation of more than 10,000 pieces of art that were displayed across Dallas.
7. Dallas LOVE Project Exhibit at Sixth Floor Museum – In February 2015, 50 pieces from the “Dallas LOVE Project” joined the permanent collection at The Sixth Floor Museum.
8. Respect Starts Here – In 2015 and 2016, 29 Pieces is encouraging students to use art to learn about compassion, empathy, and respect.
9. Piece 24 Project – This public art project is being currently produced and aims to go viral, infecting positivity by spreading a message to inspire others to be contagions of respect and compassion for all living things.
10. The Future – 29 Pieces continues to explore the intersection of art and social purpose.
The community is invited to celebrate a glorious decade with 29 Pieces this Thursday, Nov. 19. Tickets may be purchased here.
For more on visit 29pieces.org.
