Two local artists and business-owners have teamed up with the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce to launch a new art project called “Outdoor Peace Exhibit: A Study on What Brings Us Together.” Liz Glover Wilson, a Chamber board member and founder of Sunflower Art Studios and Stone Wave Yoga, said that the board “had been talking about doing an art project for some time now, and I thought that this would be the time to really dig in and get something done that not only beautifies our town but also brings our community together.”
Covid has caused so many shifts in everyone’s daily lives, she explained, and businesses have really struggled. “They had to open and close and then reopen, but without full capacity.”
Glover Wilson reached out to her friend and fellow artist Marcy Bernstein, founder and executive director of Roost Studios and Art Gallery in downtown New Paltz. “I called Marcy because we’re both really passionate about art and community, and we know that art can be so healing and uplifting and helps to give people a voice,” she said.
The Chamber lent its support to help organize the art project. “Our chair, Sheila Gilday, is an amazing person and visionary,” said Glover Wilson. “She loved the idea and was incredibly supportive.”
The project, meant to be a collaboration involving the town and village, local businesses and the Chamber, hopes to present up to 100 artists who create their art on a peace sign, a peace pole, or a sculpture in their own individual styles. All artists can apply via the Chamber of Commerce website. According to Glover Wilson, there are already more than 30 applicants.
Once an applicant is approved by Glover Wilson and/or Bernstein, they can arrange to pick up one of the wooden peace poles (donated by Majestic Hardware of Gardiner and Stone Wave Yoga) or the peace signs (donated by Gilday Creative and Roost Studios) and get to work on creating their vision of what peace, unity and hope might look like.
More established artists or those who have an idea that goes beyond the peace pole and sign can apply in a special category where they can do their own sculpture structure on private property or with a partnering business. “We’ve already had a few businesses sign on to exhibit the peace signs and poles once they’re completed [including the Bakery and One Epic Place], and we’re reaching out to more,” said Glover Wilson.
Organizers have 40 poles and 40 three-by-four-foot round peace signs to provide to applicants. The art project aims to showcase approximately a dozen pop-up outdoor gallery installations. “I can’t wait to see all the different ideas, themes and expressions of peace that will be transforming these simple peace signs and poles into expressive, personal, creative and uplifting visual messages,” said Bernstein. “I have already talked with many artists about their ideas and plans for their work.”
The idea of the peace pole is steeped in tradition. According to the organizers, the Peace Pole Project was started in Japan by Masahisa Goi (1916-1980), who dedicated his life to spreading the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Goi had been profoundly affected by the destruction caused by World War II and fate of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
All proceeds will go towards the Chamber’s artist scholarship, which rewards the chosen applicant who can best demonstrate their desire to focus on activism through art. “Many local businesses have been hard-hit by recent events, and we are hopeful that these displays will bring a positive vibe and energy,” said Glover Wilson. “We are also excited about the scholarship we will be offering to an artist who will use the funds to make a positive impact in their community.”
Glover Wilson said that they’re hoping to have the exhibitions up and ready for public viewing by early October. If you’re interested in learning more, applying to be one of the exhibiting artists, or are a business-owner who would like to host an exhibit, go to www.newpaltzchamber.org/community-of-peace.html or e-mail the art project contacts at liz@stonewaveyoga.com or marcy@roostcoop.org.
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