Our Peace Flags workshop was created to offer an event that would bring all ages together for a fun, creative meaningful and uplifting afternoon. The idea was inspired by Tibetan Prayer Flags -traditional colourful small fabric flags that are created to intentionally send wishes of peace, kindness and hope across the land as they blow in the breeze.
We held our workshop on Sept 21, United Nation’s International Day of Peace. The theme of this year’s UN Peace Day was ‘Take Action Now’ so we thought it would be the perfect day for our event.
We began advertising our event with posters around the community, through emails and on Facebook. The response was positive with many immediately signed up to attend and many offered to help with preparations. Youth and seniors helped organize the event by spreading the word to friends and family as well as donating materials. A few gathered together before the event to cut the fabric for the flags and organize other supplies.
On the day of the event, we had many helping with set up, bringing homemade baking, and helping make sure the event ran smoothly. These small acts of kindness and generosity from all ages set the tone for the day.
As participants arrived they were invited to reflect on what peace meant to them and to take this time to create a fabric flag that expressed their wishes and hopes for a more Peaceful world. We had a table of fabric shapes, a variety of paints, brushes, yarns ,beads, etc set up for them to choose from. There was no right or wrong way-only an invitation to create their own unique expression. Each piece of cloth became more than an artwork- they became a voice, a wish, a dream of hope and harmony to be carried on the wind across the community. The messages that came through intergenerational conversations were that peace begins with each one of us. Each one has the power to take action, and even a small act has the power to make a positive impact in the world. And, creating art with others is a lot of fun.
It was inspiring to watch the creativity emerge, conversations and ideas grow and friendships develop as the afternoon went on. It was an uplifting social experience for all who attended. Ideas blossomed about potential ways to grow the event next year.
There were many people, especially families with young children, that had wanted to participate but were unable to attend so we made small packages of fabric and materials that they could pick up and create their own flags at home. Although the number of participants that showed up was significantly less than we had expected, we were able to share the experience with many others by making materials available afterwards.
As our peace flags now dance in the wind across the Sunshine Coast, they carry a message that was created together-Peace begins with each one of us and the moment to act is now.
