Last year around International Day of Peace (21 September each year),
Ken the king of COMA (Collaboration of Maleny Artists) put out the call for local artists to join the
Flags for Peace project which had been started by
Mary Jane. Local artists were asked to make and fly flags for peace which several of them did.
We also got the local bookstore Rosetta Books to have a window display and we held a small artists' book exhibition of peace books in the Library here in Maleny.
We applied for small grant from the Sunshine Coast Council and were successful, and went on to publish a hardcover, coffee table type book of images from Maleny and abroad. We were able to publish 40 books and have begun distributing them around local schools and libraries and to Councillors and artists. We have set aside several to take with us to Japan next month to share with our Sister City friends in Tatebayashi.
Here are a few snaps of the book - we are pleased and proud and happy to be sharing the idea of flags for peace...
Whilst Maleny artists feature, we also tried to include as many of the international artists' flags as we could.
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| The cover |
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| Fiona Dempster |
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| Christine Elcoate |
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| Noela Mills |
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| Ken Munsie |
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| Barry Smith |
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| Mary Jane's flags and other international artists' flags |
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| Some more international artists' flags |
Thanks to
Ken,
Noela and
Barry for all their energy for the project and support for the book; to
Mary Jane for her vision and support; and to all the artists near and far who contributed to peace in this small yet beautiful way.
If you would like to see the whole book (38 pages), you can preview it online
here , where you can also purchase your own copy. No profit is being made - the book sells for the price it cost to produce it.
At the
Flags for Peace blog, you can see that we are beginning again, starting to think about and share thoughts about peace and about making and flying flags again... perhaps you too might like to join this year?
Go well. Peace.
How wonderful! I'll go order a copy or two right now. Been thinking about what to do for this year. No ideas yet, but they will come.
ReplyDeleteHi J - I spent a lot of time outside today with your flags nearby and thought of you often! They are doing well in the Maleny sunshine and rain - thank you. I hope you enjoy the book - we were fortunate to be able to publish it. Go well.
ReplyDeleteWonderfu, Fiona, thanks for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerianna - it's a beautiful project and we are so pleased we could publish the book and promote it further.
DeleteWow! How exciting and what a beautiful way to share peace! I'm going to order my copy right away. Thanks Fiona!
ReplyDeleteIndeed julie! The book is nice to hold and we managed to get all of our local artists in and small images from you all as well.
DeleteIt's nice to see that work you did last year completed in such a beautiful and lasting way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen, that's exactly how it feels. My weathergrams are all gone from the tree now so it is lovely to have this and to hold it...
DeleteYour book is looking very handsome, Fiona, and a lovely record of your (and Maleny's) year's work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol - It is a great lasting reminder of a fleeting few days...
DeleteWhat a wonderful gathering of peace, and a beautiful book on all counts...
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa - there are some lovely memories in this book, and some beautiful and peaceful images. We'll be going again in September!
ReplyDelete