Peace Project Press Pack

The Goal:
To promote world peace.

The Cause:
All money from the sale of the finished Project will be donated to Doctors without Borders, that they may continue to help people around the world regardless of race, religion, economic status, or political pressure.

The Idea:
To piece together one hand made flag to represent each of the 198 countries in the world, surrounding the words “Let there be Peace on Earth.” All fiber mediums are welcome, from quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, felting, and dying to painted canvas. The majority of the flags, however, have been knit or crocheted. In addition, flags representing minority groups, cultural areas, religions, and sexual orientations have been added.



The Symbol:
Peace is a long road. It doesn’t happen over night, and it takes work from everyone. While each individual flag is small (only 8” x16” in most cases), they symbolize hours of work and research on the part of the creator. Together, they form a massive textile piece over twelve feet in length. Each fiber artist involved has put her hopes and dreams for a better world into the piece she (or he) has created. Just like blocking a piece of knitwear, if we relax, give a little, and stretch ourselves just a bit, most of the differences in the world can be smoothed out until they are virtually unnoticeable.

The Show:
Brain child of Sheena Pennell of London, Ohio, the 198 Countries Peace Project is intended for her senior thesis show at the Columbus College of Art and Design, which will take from March 2-6, 2009, with an open reception on March 6 in Beaton Gallery on the CCAD campus (161 N. Grant, Columbus, Ohio). The show itself is dedicated to World Peace, with the Peace Project at it’s heart and will include several pieces dedicated to this theme, mostly made up of fiber.

The Information:
For continuing updates about this project, revisit this page regularly.
To download a PDF version of this page, click here.
To download a copy of the artist's profile, click here.
For more information about the 198 Countries Peace Project and how you can participate, simply follow the links to the right under "Peace Project Menu."
To contact the artist via e-mail, write to KnotMagickKnitter(at)yahoo(dot)com.