What is the Peace by Piece Quilt Project?

The Peace by Piece Quilt is an art project sponsored by the Conflict Resolution Center to increase the community's awareness of and interest in peace, tolerance, and a spirit of collaboration. The CRC has brought together over 500 children from a variety of neighborhoods, communities, and organizations so that each child could create a quilt square and story  representing what peace means to each participant.  Reflecting the ties that bind individuals into healthy communities, each of the hundreds of squares are connected to one another and to a centerpiece containing a universal symbol of peace, a dove.  Now that the quilt has been fully assembled, it embodies the ideal that when we work together, our diverse perspectives and worldviews are the pieces that strengthen the fabric of harmonious, sustainable communities.  

The quilt shows that there is endless strength and opportunity within our communities because people see things differently.

For this project, children convey their thoughts, ideas, and dreams about what peace means to them on an 8-inch quilt square.  With the help of Kim Weitkamp, a nationally recognized storyteller, the children were guided through the creative process using imagery techniques to write a story about peace.  Using these stories as a guide, the children created their quilt squares to reflect or illustrate the peaceful memory or vision described in their story.

The Peace by Piece Quilt was on display at the Taubman Museum of art from November 17 through January 16 and many of the children were able to view their artwork while on display.  Beginning March 5, the Quilt will be on display at Valley View Mall and remain on display continuously through the end of March.  The display will be located directly behind the childrens' play area on the second floor overlooking the food court.  During this time the Conflict Resolution Center will be offering free information about resources for healthy conflict resolution as well as educating the public with its 10 Tips for Resolving Conflict.