I Want to Send a Message

Born at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine, during the 2012 Educator's Course, "Expressive Arts; Educational Transformations," this book shares a taste of the unique experiences shared by a group of artists, musicians, and educators from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, the USA, India, and Pakistan who actively resist the status quo to create something rare, hopeful and beautiful together. Participants in this course engaged in dialogue and conflict with one another; they met the challenges of everyday life; they expressed themselves through the arts and stretched to understand one another, while focusing on themes of home, conflict, upheaval, displacement, migration, suffering, loss and love. The text was edited by the group and place names were removed, making them "place neutral." This text was then woven into a single narrative and performed by the group, along with music and choreographed movements, at the Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine. Experience these stories, which are both personal and universal, through colorful, imaginative handmade papercuts. The book is also illustrated with full color drawings and paintings by artists from the course. A preface, introduction, and essay present reflections and best practices about this kind of work.