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

With more and more tragic news stories seemingly every day, many parents may want to shelter their children and some schools ask teachers not to discuss these events. But children are not immune to the media covering or adults discussing the latest in gun violence/school shootings, bullying, hate, racial divides, sexual harassment and more. This reality becomes inescapable when schools practice “active shooter” drills. As teachers across the country struggle with ways to help

Outside In: Paint for Peace exhibits opened around the St. Louis community on August 27 at COCA, an exhibit outside Gallery 210 and the second floor at Missouri History Museum and will run through the end of October. More exhibits opened at Vaughn Cultural Center, Ferguson Youth Initiative and Touhill Performing Arts Center on September 2. And yet one more is set to open at The Sheldon on October 7 and end on November 19. Part of the unique aspect of this exhibit is the colla

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

Ferguson resident, Darcy Edwin explained how she came up with her painting. "The idea for The Ferguson Tree came from Ferguson Optical's sign, which read: 'Stay Strong Ferguson. We Are A Family.' The overall point of this mural was to show that there is strength and beauty in our unity as a family. And to send hope for our community to come together through the tragedy, and mov forward and grow stronger." Darcy painted the tree in multi-colors to signify the beauty in diversi

COCA announces powerful community collaboration to kick off 30th anniversary season August 27 COCA (Center of Creative Arts) announces Outside In: Paint for Peace, an unprecedented collaborative community exhibition featuring a selection of the original murals painted on the boarded-up storefronts by amateur and professional artists in the days and weeks following the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Mo. The exhibition, opening August 27 at 10 a.m. at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St.

In our newest book, Painting for Peace: A Coloring Book for All Ages, we featured stories from some of the artists that contributed to the artwork that inspired our books. Today, we are sharing the story of AJ Rosenberg, who painted the iconic peace dove AJ came with her daughter and friends up to Ferguson to paint on the week end after Thanksgiving. Coming from a family of mixed cultures and religions AJ and her family have always tried to live in places and be around people

What started out with only local distribution and a small press run for the children's book Painting for Peace in Ferguson has turned into a much bigger year than anyone anticipated. Launched on February 21, 2015, not only was it selected to represent the state of Missouri at Library of Congress' National Book Festival, it also received an IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year award beating out more than 6,000 other entries. Appearing on the local, indie book best-seller list for

We were deeply honored to learn yesterday that "Painting for Peace in Ferguson" has been honored with a national gold-medal for being named one of only nine "Outstanding Books of the year for 2015" out of an application pool of 6,000 by the Independent Publisher, a journal dedicated to reviewing and recognizing the works of independent book houses around the country. Each year, the national organization releases the "IPPYs," honoring works in a variety of categories and Pain

This has been a big week for Painting for Peace in Ferguson. The support for the project has been amazing. Here's a rundown of what's happened in the past few days. St. Louis Public Library About 50 people joined us for our panel discussion Monday evening at the St. Louis County Library, which featured experts in art therapy and patient advocacy. We talked to Rebeccah Bennett, founder of St. Louis’ Emerging Wisdom LLC, who graciously served as our moderator for the discussion

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

By: Kurt Greenbaum Perhaps it’s not time you have, but you can donate money or participate in a fundraiser. Here’s a few ideas for how to get involved with your wallet. Visit Ferguson and Spend Money Residents and business owners want the wider community to know Ferguson is open for business. Consider making the effort to visit the city and spend shopping dollars there. Have lunch or dinner at a Ferguson restaurant. Consider more than just lunch … there are optical shops, tir

By: Kurt Greenbaum Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? A way to use your skills to support your community? If volunteer work is something your children seek, the best place to start is by setting a good example for your children. PBS Parents suggests that being a volunteering role model is where to begin. Create an Opportunity Students at a St. Louis-area girls’ high school invited a Ferguson restaurant to provide their lunch one school day. The restaurant sustained

WOW! We have done a lot of digging and we have found more than 150 people who took part in the painting efforts in Ferguson and South Grand. See the names below. We need your help! We have done our best to compile names of artists to credit in the book. Please review this list and let us know who is missing, who doesn't belong or who may be misspelled. If you have been credited inaccurately or simply don't want your name shared, please email us at paintingforpeace.book@gmail.

By Kurt Greenbaum “We want our children to have faith in the bedrock institutions of our country. But, they also must learn that like the humans that comprise them, institutions and systems are imperfect.” From a column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Nov. 26, 2014, by parenting writer Aisha Sultan. PBS Parents suggests that families can go further than seeking out volunteer opportunities to help their community. They can actively work to expose children to issues involving

By Kurt Greenbaum In the aftermath of events that make your children question some of their most basic needs and personal safety, your children will surely have questions - some that they share and others they internalize - about their wellbeing, that of their family and friends, the events the precipitated the unrest and what's to come. Just as before, be sure to reassure children that they are safe, and that schools are a safe place for them to be. In fact, your school has

By: Kurt Greenbaum Psychologists who deal with children and schools agree on the one most important thing parents must do during difficult times: Reassure children that they are safe and cared for. The National Association of School Psychologists counsels parents to “explain that all feelings are OK when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.” The strategy for talkin

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