On September 22, 2008, the Proviso West High School Art Department and other art departments in Hillside, Illinois will participate in the international art and literacy project, Pinwheels for Peace.

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started last year by two art teachers in Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives.

In 2007, groups in over 2,400 locations throughout the world were spinning pinwheels.

Locally, Proviso West Art Instructor Sean Shipley will be coordinating the Pinwheels for Peace project this year.

Students will create pinwheels of all shapes and sizes. As a part of the creation process, the art students will write their thoughts about war, peace, tolerance and living in harmony with others on one side of the pinwheel. On the other side, they will draw, paint, or make a collage to visually express their feelings.

The pinwheels will be planted on Proviso West's north side lawn as a public statement and art exhibit the day after the International Day of Peace (Sept. 22).

For more information, go to http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com or contact 708-267-8063.

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