Pinwheels for Peace Art Installation Project

In today’s world, peace needs to become more than just a word. We are continually bombarded with television images, video games, music, magazine and newspaper articles that give importance to conflict and war. Violence has become commonplace and accepted as part of our society, and for some it is a way of life. It is our hope that through the Pinwheels for Peace project, we can make a public statement about our feelings on peace.
A pinwheel is a childhood symbol- it reminds us of a time when things were simple, joyful, peaceful. Students will create a pinwheel during Art class over the next week. As part of the creation process, students will write their thoughts about “peace” on one side of the pinwheel. The opposite side will be decorated with ideas that visually express their feelings about peace.
On International Peace Day, September 21st, Riderwood’s 1st through 5th grade students “planted” their handmade pinwheels, which they had made under the direction of Riderwood art teacher Candice Kirschnick, outside during a school-wide assembly. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country and world!