Community
Unity Obelisk Tile Project
Community
unity can be expressed in many ways. Now Creativity
Unlimited Arts Council has found a colorful way to
celebrate the diversity found in unity with a project
that welcomes
participation from all ages.
“When
I saw this project unfolding at Estes Park, CO, I was
instantly enthused,” said Sharon Skinner, who took the
idea to the CUAC where she received an enthusiastic
response.
At
Estes, six-inch square tiles, individually painted, were
placed on the walls of the community’s
river walk. In North Platte, the tiles will be placed on
five obelisks around the community.
The
Community Unity Obelisk Tile Project welcomes
participants of all ages. Although tile painting will be
an art project for fifth graders, it is open to all
children in the community.
Anyone can paint a tile.
“Our
only rule is that all tile designs must have the
approval of the committee,” Skinner said.
The inception of the tile painting project is itself a
sign of unity in ideas. The Estes project was part of an
organization called PeaceJam, a nationwide organization
promoting community awareness and
peaceful interaction among all people.
PeaceJam
was conceived on the gritty, gang-infested streets of
northwest Denver in the summer of
1994. Ivan Suvanjieff, an artist, musician, and
relentless dreamer was talking with Latino gang members
at the corner of 13th and Wyandot when he discovered
that these rough-and-tumble youth not only knew who
Desmond Tutu was, they appreciated his nonviolent
efforts toward change. The mission of the PeaceJam
Foundation is to create a new generation of young
leaders committed to positive change in themselves,
their communities and the world through the inspiration
of Nobel Peace Laureates.
In
stressing community unity, all ages, from preschool to
senior citizens, are invited to paint a tile for
North Platte.
“Members
of all ages in our Community can join together in
creating their own personalized tiles
for North Platte’s Community Unity tile project,”
Skinner said. The hand-painted tiles will be placed on
five obelisks located in park areas, biking trails and
other locations in North Platte. They will be beautiful.
“The Creativity Unlimited Arts
Council (CUAC) wants to create something beautiful in North
Platte for everyone to enjoy. This project will inspire and unite people
of all ages old and young alike in painting tiles together,” Skinner
added.
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Tile painting schedule
The following sessions will be
offered at Platte River Mall unless
otherwise noted:
Paint a tile
Open to the public
(donation $10 adults and $5 for students)
There are less than 600 tiles
left to be painted for the five Obelisks
that will be built around town. Don’t
miss your chance to be included!
JULY
2008 SCHEDULE
Location: The Platte River Mall
– Main entrance
Tuesday, July 1st
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 8th
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 15th
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday, July 19th
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 22nd
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 29th
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
August schedule to be announced
Contact one of the individuals below for
upcoming dates or to make an appointment to paint a tile for 8 to 20 individuals, contact :
PATSY SMITH 308.584.3379
SHARON SKINNER 308-532-2561
WAVA BEST 308-532-8690
For Registration Form to paint
a tile click here!
(Refer to schedule above when completing
registration form.)
Co-sponsors of the project are:
City of North Platte
Platte River Mall
Mid Nebraska Community Foundation
Original Town Association
Healthy for Life
North Platte Convention & Visitors Bureau
Creativity Unlimited Art Council.
 
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