I hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out with CITYarts– I’m Sydney, the Project Coordinator. We are eager for South Dakota’s involvement in our nation-wide initiative, and we wanted to reach out and introduce ourselves to your team!
CITYarts has been working to conduct workshops and collect student artwork from high schools and organizations in all 50 states. Next year, we will be creating a culminating mosaic peace wall in Washington, DC that will include selected artworks from each state.
However, we are still missing some states, including South Dakota. Since you all work on serving schools, art agencies, and community centers across the state, we wanted to reach out and see if you would be interested in helping us reach out and get in touch with contacts there, or if your institution directly would be interested in hosting a free 45-60 minute workshop. Below, I will attach an email template for reference that can also be sent out to schools including an FAQ sheet, brochure, and introductory packet:
Hello!
My name is Tsipi Ben-Haim, Founding Director of CITYarts, where, for 35 years, we’ve turned youth voices into vibrant works of public art, transforming their communities.
Today, our mission takes on greater urgency as we call on schools, organizations, and communities across the nation to help us bring to life the CITYarts 50 States of Peace initiative—a creative movement uniting Americans through the imagination and dreams of our youth.
We are thrilled to invite the (School) to represent South Dakota in this inspiring journey.
Here’s how your students can help paint peace into the fabric of our nation:
- In a 45- to 60-minute CITYarts Pieces for Peace workshop, students will explore the profound question: “What does peace look like to me?” Conducted in 26 states to date
- Guided by a teacher, students aged 12-20 will unleash their creativity to design unique 6×6-inch artworks, reflecting their visions of peace and unity.
- These artworks will join a growing Online Exhibition on the CITYarts website, where students will see their collective impact. Exceptional pieces will travel the country as part of our National Traveling Exhibition, already showcased in five states!
- The workshops can also be the inspiration behind a CITYarts’ Peace Wall mural in your community! So far, we have created peace walls in 6 states. While creating a peace mural wall is not a necessary step, it is encouraged!
And this is only the beginning. Together, we’ll stitch these visions into a tapestry of hope, culminating in a monumental mosaic Peace Wall in Washington DC next year celebrating USA’s 250th anniversary with 250 images for peace from youth voices in all 50 states.
We invite you to take the first step in this transformative journey by reviewing the attached Fact Sheet, FAQ, and Introductory Packet. For a glimpse of how the workshops unfold, click here, and find even more inspiration on our website.
The time is now. We can empower youth, inspire hope, and create a united future.
Please reply to this email, and let’s begin shaping a masterpiece of peace together.
Stay Safe and Hopeful,
Tsipi
Tsipi Ben-Haim,
Founder, Executive, and Creative Director
CITYarts – Youth Transforming Communities
