Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery Celebrates Children’s Art

 Detroit public, charter and private school students’ art was recognized and celebrated at an opening reception and exhibit held at Central United Methodist Church’s Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery on Sunday, March 17. The well attended opening reception and exhibit was a glorious display of the exuberant imaginations and extraordinary creativity of Detroit’s youth, embodied in their art. The show demonstrates how our youth’s artistry can benefit significantly when nurtured at an early stage. 

Kudos to Dr.Terrie Hylton who spearheaded the event and Christa Perdue, the exhibit’s curator. The opening reception and art exhibition came together with the help of  fellow organizers and the gallery board who all did an outstanding job identifying, gathering and hanging the art work. The show brought student artists, parents and community together. Special thanks to Ian Matchett, Nawili, Robyn Markoe, Linda Forte, Simone Clayton and Rev. Cynthia Wilson, Founder-Chaplain of Pop, Arts Chaplaincy Outreach Program.

The exhibit is now on display and open for viewing by the general public during the hours below and by appointment.

Peace Center and Gallery hours are as follows:

Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery

33 East Adams Street    

Detroit Michigan 48226

open Friday and Saturdays 1-6pm 

313-963-7575

swordsintoplowshares313@gmail.com  

Stop by and check it out.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Cynthia Wilson 

Black History Month Celebration Day 9- Mother Rosa Parks

 

Today’s blog update includes a video podcast episode below.

Today’s Black History Month Celebration honors memories of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks whose birthday was recently celebrated. Detroit Pistons honored her by partnering with the Rosa Parks Estate to provide free bus transportation to Detroiters on February 4 and February 7. They also provided free jackets to Detroit’s transportation department.

I am sharing with you both a collage of selected photos as well as single photographs from my archive database that I snapped or that were taken with my camera at several community events, including Living Stones/Imani Day programs held at Calvary Baptist church and Ms. Park’s 100th birthday celebration and postage stamp unveiling held at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History. 

 Many of us in the community have had the opportunity to participate in events and activities involving Mother Parks over the years because of her commitment to reaching out to churches, schools and neighborhood organizations through the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self- Development’s Pathways to Freedom Program, Imani Day Interfaith celebrations and the Parks Legacy Program. I am blessed and consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to not only interact with Mrs. Parks, but also to have Co-Chaired both the Imani Day and Living Stone events held at Calvary Baptist church in her honor when I served as an Assistant Minister there.

Thanks to all who contributed in their own way to the historic significance of all programs. A special thanks to Michael Joseph (not pictured)who served as videographer of all of Calvary’s Imani Day and Living Stones programs circa 1995-2000.

All photos are captioned.

Blessings,

Cynthia Wilson