Peace Tiles Workshop in the NW province

Posted February 21st, 2008 in Peace Tiles Workshops by Frerieke

By Frerieke van Bree

Peacetiles workshopPeace Tiles are 8″ x 8″ collages and mixed media assemblages created on 1/2-inch thick wood panel. They are invented by our amazing friend Lars, founder of The Peace Tiles project : a great initiative that stimulates and supports community-based workshops, exchanges between individuals and communities, and the installation of Peace Tile murals in locations around the world.

Peacetiles workshopPeace Tiles are a great way to stimulate self-expression and creativity, deepen awareness and understanding of global issues, make new connections in the world and strengthen existing ones, and promote community service.

Peace Tiles are produced in structured 1 or 2-day workshops designed to engage participants emotionally, intellectually and creatively in a process of “arts advocacy.”

Peacetiles workshopPeter and I organized the first Love to the World Peace tiles workshop in the NW province of South Africa at a very rural and underprivileged school (5 grades in 1 classroom, ages from 6 to 14). Lots of those children had never worked with paint, others maybe once every 2 years. It was such a gift for them (and us) that an American and a Dutchie found their way to their little school with this box full of art supplies. And even more that they would all become part of this global Peace Tiles initiative.

The theme of our workshop was happiness. “What makes you happy? Or has made you happy? What do you dream about?” (things like: my mum, new clothes, my birthday, Christmas, this workshop). 

Even-though these children could hardly understand any English, thanks to the great teacher who translated to Setswana and our drama-skills, the workshop was a great success. First we tried to discover in little discussion groups what activities in the past, at this moment or in dreams made them happy.
With the entire group (40 children) we wrote down what things in general a person needs to live a happy life, to experience happiness. This session provided enough inspiration to write down/sketch their own story of happiness.

After an explanation of the tile as the art-object and the possibilities of paint/paper/glue the children were ready to create their own story on the tile.

With lots of concentration in their eyes, big smiles on their faces and paint everywhere they’ve created some amazing art works. See the results over here!

We want to say a big thank you to Mrs Deitz (Peters’ mum) from New York for sponsoring the supplies!

Peacetiles workshop

Our first Peace Tilesworkshop was a great success. The teacher explained to me afterwards how valuable this was for the children. Not only for them to be able to work with arts, but also to think about things they would otherwise never discuss and are very important. The happiness theme gave lots of the children a feeling of appreciation: although they do not have much, they can be happy and appreciate the beautiful things, feelings, moments. The happiness theme also stimulated the children to think about their future and created hope: to have dreams and to make dreams come true.

We love the Peace Tiles workshop!
..and we’ll do lots more of them!

Interested to know more about the Peace Tiles project?
Check out the beautiful Peace Tiles website! Lars (Peace Tiles founder) wrote a  news item about our workshop, which you can find here.

Don’t forget to take a look at our photo gallery!

Lots of creative greetings to you!

Fre