Pray For Peace

This art installation opened at Studio's on The Park in Paso Robles California for the 'Guns in America' show, January 2017.  It consists of 185 lunch box cut outs, each representing a school shooting from the 21st Century.  An almost 500% increase from the previous 20th Century where in 100 years from 1900-1999 there were 222 incidents.  In only 16 years, from 2000-2016 there have been 186.  Since the installation went up more shootings have been recorded. WHY???

By definition a school shooting is where firearms were discharged on or near school property.

The number of deaths, injuries and a brief description of each incident are recorded on the front of each of the lunchbox handgun images.  Large bullet holes riddle the lunch boxes marking the death count.  Symbolic of the large holes left in the lives of those still living.  Smaller bullet holes count the injuries.  The distressed look of each box represents the trauma inflicted upon everyone involved.  Flowers and miniature bouquets adorn each work with black ribbons as tiny memorials of horrific acts.  On the backside of each work are the words, "PRAY FOR PEACE".  I use this on so many levels: for the energy of the words in accordance with Masaru Emoto's Hado work, as a reminder to all, PRAY FOR PEACE and as a plea of urgency to take steps towards PEACE.  We must ACT in order to receive an answer to our prayer for peace.

Few boxes are lined with white.  They mark incidents where by the grace of GOD, nobody was killed or injured.

This work was created with a burning passion to end these horrific acts of violence in our schools and respectively all across America.  Our schools are a place where young people go to learn, grow and prepare for life.  It is our job and obligation to protect them.  Our schools should be a safe haven for our youth to be nurtured, to grow and learn to become compassionate, educated, creative contributors in our diverse American societies.  We need to invest in PEACE NOW.  Billions are spent on war, it is time to invest in PEACE and our children.  We need to give them tools to deal with their emotions.  

The arts have long been undervalued for their true gifts and strength.  All of the arts have been viewed as fluff and sadly cast aside in education as second best or removed completely.  There is a need for the arts in the lives of our youth now more than ever.  The arts can allow a safe expression for anger at what is happening in their lives personally and the world at large around them.  A world we have created for them and a world we will leave to them.  The arts are a way to channel these energies in a healthier more constructive way.   FUND THE ARTS!