Our dreams of peace are reflected in our daily thoughts, words and actions. ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation is partnering with the City of Naperville, Districts 203 & 204, North Central College, and  prestigious organizations across the city to bring you the third annual Celebration of Peace. A variety of events and activities associated with peace and understanding provide inspiration for building harmony in our community and supporting charitable initiatives.
    Every year, world peace is celebrated during the month of September. In 2007, for the first time, the City of Naperville proclaimed September 7th through October 5th as "Celebration of Peace" month. The month long inaugural celebration featured an astounding variety of events and activities designed to spark interest, heighten creativity, and prompt increased dialogue towards building harmony in our communities.

"Peace Theme Contests" are open to all Naperville area school children. The Theme this year is "Think Peace, Act Peace, Spread Peace" which will have these seperate contest categories:

• Essay/Story/Poetry
• Music
• Video
• Art ~ Creative Stamp Design
• Poster (hosted by Naperville Noon Lions Club)
  

Start of 30 Days and Ways to practice Peace! Published daily in Naperville SUN.

This year for the first time, a corporate company, RR Donnelley is introducing "30 days & Ways to Practice Peace" to its employees. Additionally, Districts 203, 204, Private schools, libraries in the Naperville area will feature these on a daily basis.

Peace buttons are available from ThinkGlobal Arts Froundation for those practicing Peace this month. Please call (630) 697-4441 for your button!

1. Guidelines Packet for Creative Stamps Design Contest, Peace Poster Contest and Peace Essay/Poem Contest given to School Districts 203, 204, and Private schools in Naperville area.
   
   
2. Please fill the formal Authorization for Permission to display and use the Stamp Design or Poetry/Essay in our website and/or in other publicity materials.
   
   
3. "Arts for Peace" collection information given to Schools, Libraries, and Book Stores, and Art Stores in area.

International Day of Peace at Brookdale Elementary SChool, by The Peace Garden (near the playground), from 5:30pm - 6:30pm.

Mayoral Proclamation of "Celebration of Peace" 2009,
at Naperville City Council Meeting Room (7 pm). All are welcome!

'Peace month BEGINS!'

Start of 30 Days and Ways to practice Peace!

1. Peace buttons are available from ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation for those practicing Peace this month. Please call (630) 697-4441 for your button!
   
   
2. Start of "Arts for Peace" Charity Drive, for the second year!
   
   
3. Donate an Essential Binder filled with school and arts materials! See your teacher for details. Please visit your local Library, Book Store, or Art Store, to see an "Arts for Peace" Essential Binder.

Keynote Address by Alex Counts (Open to high school students only) at Naperville Central High School from 1pm - 3pm.

Reception & Talk by Keynote Speaker Alex Counts at Whole Foods Lifestyle Center from 6:30pm - 9:30pm.

Location: Whole Foods Market 2607 W. 75th Street Naperville, Illinois Phone: (630) 904-0669
Open to entire community

Creative Stamps Design Contest, Peace Poster Contest and Peace Essay/Poem Contest, Final Submissions due !!!

Peace Poster Contest Rules

Arts Judges Panel: Creative Stamp Design & Peace Poster - tba
Peace Essay/Poem Judges Panel: TBA

"Artist in Residence" program with Nani Agbeli (Open to Districts 203 & 204 students) from November 2-6 (Monday through Friday).

Press Conference for Creative Stamps Design Contest, Peace Poster Contest and Peace Essay/Poem Contest at Naperville City Hall from 7pm - 8pm.

"WE ARE ONE", a grand multi cultural event. Mark your calendars for a show that you would not want to miss at Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center from 7pm - 9pm.

Mayoral Proclamation of "Celebration of Peace" month at Naperville City Council Meeting starting at 7pm.

Registration Open for Creative Stamps Design Contest, Peace Poster Contest and Essay/Poem Contest.

Arts Judges Panel (Creative Stamp Design & Peace Poster): Broz, Joan; Hertzberg, Stephen; Maziarek, Ronnie; Khatau, Ramila; England, Debra

Essay/Poem Judges Panel: Beaty, Andrea; Chaya, Mayank; Tate, Carol; West, Tim; Jan Dundon

30 Days and Ways to Practice Peace

Arts For Peace chairty project

Talk by Robert Thurman open to all high school students at Naperville Central High School from 10am - noon.

Talk by Robert Thurman to the entire community at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall from 7pm - 10pm.

Opening reception for Exhibit titled "Contemporary Peacemakers" at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall from 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Panel Discussion on "The Culture of Peace and Harmony" North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall from 7:30pm - 9:30pm.

Film Fest at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall from 7pm - 9:30pm

Talk by Martin Luther King III open to all high school students which will be held at Neuqua Valley High School from 10am - noon.

Luncheon with Martin Luther King III at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville, IL 60540

Mayoral Proclamation of "Celebration of Peace" month in Naperville at City Council Meeting.

Inauguration Ceremony at Naperville City Hall.

Invitation

Artist's Reception will be held from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Oesterle Gallery on the campus of North Central College. Meet with Revati Natesan, creator of the Exhibit titled, "Mahatma Gandhi - His Life & Legacy".

Opening of Exhibit titled, "Mahatma Gandhi in Cartoon" at the Krasa Center at Benedictine University.

Opening of Exhibit titled, "International Lions Club Peace Posters" at the Krasa Center at Benedictine University.

Talk by Rajmohan Gandhi, Naperville Central High School.

Luncheon with Rajmohan Gandhi for select high school students at Waubonsie Valley High School.

Press Conference for winners of the "Creative Stamp Design" and "Peace Poster Contest", on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary at Naperville Art League Gallery.

Order your own Commemorative Stamp Sheet

Hosted by ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation, this art contest was open to Elementary and High School Students (Grades 1-5 & Grades 9-12) at all Naperville area schools. Students were invited to create works of art with the theme of "Celebration of Peace in our Everyday Lives".

Artwork was judged on originality, artistic merit, and expression of the theme. A panel of five local judges from the Arts, Media, Education, Communication, and Diversity Awareness selected the 10 most creative designs. Winners were announced at the Press Conference on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary.

The contest was unique in that the children's artwork was turned into real US Postage 41 cent stamps, and was available as a Stamp Sheet, with 20 stamps to a Sheet. Stamp Sheets featuring the winning designs have been issued as Commemoratives of the Celebration of Peace month, a collector's item.