Aug. 25, 2012: One of the many messages from CHALK 4 Peace 2012 in Winnipeg's Vimy Ridge Park. Photo: Paul S. Graham
The underlying premise of CHALK 4 Peace might best be summed up in a statement attributed to Mahatma Gandhi in 1937: “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.”
CHALK 4 Peace is an annual event that has spread to hundreds of communities world-wide since its inception in 2003 in Arlington, Virginia. The objectives, according to CHALK 4 Peace are:
- To promote the arts by coordinating assemblies of young artists of all ages to draw their vision of peace in public and private spaces with sidewalk chalk as a scheduled worldwide event;
- To advocate for peace in a non-partisan manner such that all people may share their visions and messages of peace without regard to their nationality, ethnicity, or political beliefs;
- To encourage relationships between municipalities and artists so that communities around the world become united in supporting the expression of peace.
Winnipeggers celebrated their 6th annual CHALK 4 Peace on Saturday, raising funds for War Child Canada, and bringing sidewalk art, music, and laughter to Vimy Ridge Park.
Performers included Ras Tamils, the Flaming Trolleys and Lindsey White & Mitch Dorge.
Kisa MacIsaac, one of the organizers of the Winnipeg event, explains how this coming together of arts, music and people contributes to a more peaceful world.
You can find find CHALK 4 Peace Winnipeg on Facebook.