It’s been a long journey for the people of Ferguson and Michael Brown’s family since August 2014. By documenting the Paint for Peace effort that happened during the aftermath in November 2014, in the book Painting for Peace in Ferguson, and by visiting schools and community events in the years that followed, I have been fortunate to hear from many voices and people in the community of Ferguson during the past five years. Some voices were young and angry … some older voices we

Andrea's artwork is based on a powerful expression that was originally attributed to the Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulus, and which was also later taken up by Mexican protestors as a call to rise up in the midst of persecution. The seeds, whether on a personal level, or as a society, represent resilience and an opportunity for new beginnings. Although not a trained artist, Andrea first got involved to help neighbors board up broken storefront windows and to paint ones alre

Mary Krummenacher's father, Karl, had owned a camera store across the street from where she and Karen Bult painting their design. The painting depicts a hand in a peace gesture, and is covered with colorful peace signs. The caption - Shalom - is a Hebrew word, which means peace and completeness. Mary's father had been a fixture in the Ferguson business district from the early 1990's and had worked hard to bring businesses and growth the the area. "I met owners on that block w

The children's book, Painting for Peace in Ferguson, recently received three new recognitions. The International Literacy Association, selected Painting for Peace in Ferguson for its 2016 Teacher’s Choices Reading List, Missouri Center for the Book named it one of two runners-up to its inaugural Ardis L. Glenn prize as well as first place in Missouri Professional Communicators' children's books—nonfiction. Since 1989 the ILA's Teachers’ Choices project has “identified outstan

Painting for Peace: A Coloring Book for All Ages available at select St. Louis events starting May 24, 2016 Painting for Peace: A Coloring Book for All Ages written by Carol Swartout Klein and illustrated by Robert O’Neil will be available at select events around St. Louis, MO beginning May 24, 2016 and nationally beginning early June. The 52-page Painting for Peace coloring book, published by Treehouse Publishing Group, will be at retailers across the US and on Amazon in pap

Preorder the book now We are thrilled to announce the next chapter for Painting for Peace! Painting for Peace: A Coloring Book written by Carol Swartout Klein and illustrated by Robert O’Neil, the author and illustrator of Painting for Peace in Ferguson will be available for purchase at retailers across the US starting May 24, 2016. The 52-page coloring book is available for pre-order through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The book, now in final design phase, includes more than

We're so honored that you've made Painting for Peace in Ferguson the No. 1 children's book in St. Louis for the fourth straight week. Many of you have told us that this project is making a difference for young readers as they share the message of hope, and a glimpse of what our community can be when we all work together for a common goal. Our hope has always been to provide families a way to have conversations about the issues that have arisen since the Aug. 9 shooting of Mic

Jade Bugett Hygrade tells it like it is in this short video clip with her mother, Janice Bugett Hygrade. You won't want to miss this charming little girl's animated description of her participation in the Paint for Peace project, which led to their artwork becoming part of the book, Painting for Peace in Ferguson. Do you have a story to tell about your participation, or seeing the artwork along the streets of Ferguson? We'd love to hear about it. Send an email to paintingforp

We're excited to share that Painting for Peace in Ferguson has been featured prominently in media nationwide, and grateful for the response we've received to the book. We were even fortunate enough to have been asked by Arianna Huffington and the Huffington Post to contribute to their "Impact: What's Working" column. Paperbacks are flying off the shelves, hardbacks are in stores now and we are in the process of printing a second edition already! We also had the great honor of

A special thank-you reception will be held for artists, volunteers and business owners who took part in the painting for peace efforts. If you volunteered, painted or were an affected business owner, we invite you to join us February 21, at the Sky Room at Ferguson Brewing Company. The family-friendly open house will have an art project area for children and a video booth where people may come and contribute their stories about the amazing painting for peace effort that you t

By: Kurt Greenbaum The National Association of School Psychologists has an online resource guide with ideas about how to address issues of tolerance and social justice with children. A few of their tips (with the full menu available online here) include: Remind children not to characterize an entire group or class of people by how a few of them behave. Note that one of America’s core strengths is its diversity. Reinforce this core principle: Treat people with fairness, respec

BIG NEWS! Today, the book moves into production! We hope to have printed copies in hand and out for delivery in Feb. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to youth, arts & small business recovery in North St. Louis County. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek of Page 9! Watch for details to come on a big event in a few months that we want you all to be a part of, since this is your project too! -Carol #book #carolklein #carolswartoutklein #children #childrensbook #paintingforp

The children’s book, PAINTING FOR PEACE IN FERGUSON, written in verse by author Carol Swartout Klein tells the story of the community outpouring of hundreds of artists and volunteers who worked in Ferguson and along South Grand to transform boarded up windows into works of art with messages of hope, healing and unity. Published locally by Layla Dog Press, all proceeds after printing costs will benefit north county-area youth and art programs as well as the businesses and empl

Layla Dog Press and author Carol Swartout Klein are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of a children’s book based on the Paint for Peace community effort in Ferguson and the South Grand neighborhood with an anticipated delivery date before year’s end. The book titled PAINTING FOR PEACE IN FERGUSON tells the story of the hundreds of artists and volunteers who worked to transform boarded up windows into works of art with messages of hope, healing, and unity. All pr