Thank you again to all at the Barat Foundation for the life changing opportunity afforded to our daughter, Soreya, this summer. – John and Ginger, Parents of 2011 Summer Program Student

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The Creation Nation Art Parade is a march for art, peace, and unity. We march for Art, Peace, and Unity, in a continued celebration of Newark’s International Peace Summit, and the blessings of the Dalai Lama.  Schools, businesses, government, communities, art galleries and artists marched with their banners and creations, in support of our youth, Newark’s creative potential, and our shared future. Click here to see more!

Here is a wonderful letter of support from Newark Mayor Cory Booker!

On May 12, 2011, over 350 attendees gathered for the unveiling of the PEACE mural, the first mural under the collaborative initiative of the Barat Foundation Youth Initiative and the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace, “Messages through Murals”. The PEACE mural was painted by over 500 students at 14 Newark Schools as a welcome to the highly anticipated arrival of His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureates Dr. Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams, and the Newark Peace Education Summit.

“The Peace Summit was motivating,” says Chandri Barat, Executive Director of the Barat Foundation Youth Initiative. “Now that the Summit is over, the PEACE mural remains as a permanent 4-story statement testifying to the power of art as a universal communicator.”

The mural is the largest community-based public artwork in the history of the City of Newark, NJ, and is placed on the prominent Broad Street façade of the Integrity House. Over the course of 45 days, 500 children, and 14 schools worked together with the mural’s designer, Dan Fenelon, mural facilitator Sue Daly, and a team of artists in residence provided by the Barat Foundation Youth Initiative to complete the PEACE mural.

The PEACE Mural was made possible by: MCJ Amelior Amelior Foundation, Nicholson Foundation, Horzon Blue Cross, Genova Burns and Giantomasi, Dr. Clement Price, Congregation B’nai Jeshrun of Short Hills, Episcopal Diocese of Newark, Linda & John Levi, Integrity House,, Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Team Academy, St. Benedict’s Academy, and North 13th Street Essex County Vocational High School.

The Integrity Choir

Mayor Cory Booker, the City of Newark, the Integrity House Choir, the Newark Interfaith Coalition, and the Sub-Urban Dance Group (a collaboration of Teaneck and Arts High Schools) participated in the unveiling festivities. The mural will be a mainstay in the City of Newark and will continue to further promote the mission of the Newark Peace Education Summit, the Barat Foundation Youth Initiative, and the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace.

Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz of Newark Interfaith Coalition with W Deen Shareef and Terry Brewin

About The Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace
The Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace is a group of Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders committed to effectively mobilize resources in Newark, New Jersey. We work collaboratively with city officials and other organizations in Newark and in the surrounding communities to lead people away from the paths of despair and violence toward the paths of hope and peace. www.newarkinterfaith.org

About The Newark Peace Education Summit
The Newark Peace Education Summit is a three-day conference focusing on peacemaking practices from around the world. It features panels and workshops with His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Somaly Mam, Nobel Laureates and peace advocates from a wide cross section of cultures, disciplines and perspectives. The summit will explore the programs, policies, and methods used by communities to establish peace, why and how they work, and how to replicate them in America and around the world. www.newarkpeace.org

The Animodules are a Newark Original. They are already part of the most beloved and unusual annual Parade – a celebration of the arts in Newark. The annual Newark Arts Parade features a large number of giant modular design lightweight sculptures called “Animodules.”

Now, the Newark Originals will be brought to life.

The Barat Foundation has created a hub of community collaboration in the heart of downtown Newark, featuring arts in education programs for underserved youth. The beautiful 13,000 sq. ft. facility, provided through a generous gift by Arthur Stern of Cogswell Realty, is dedicated to providing positive, life-changing experiences ensuring resiliency, and encouraging personal, artistic, and academic growth. For more information, or to participate in the creation of the giant Animodules, email baratfoundation@gmail.com.

This is a Barat Foundation Summer Program in Provence final project. It is a La Fontaine fable about a horse who makes a pact with man to defeat her arch rival the fawn, who is faster than she. In exchange for man’s help, the horse relinquishes her freedom. Alas, at the end of the fable the horse dies, tied tightly up to a rope. The moral of the fable is, “What good are the fine things in life if one has lost her freedom?”. The student directed the video, memorized the fable, acted out the story with a fellow student, created the horse mask and the costumes. The video was made under the direction of a Barat Foundation video artist.

The PEACE Mural’s completion was timed to greet Nobel Laureates, His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama,  Dr. Shirin Ebadi, and Jody Williams, and the Newark Peace Education Summit that took place in Newark May 13th – 15th.

The winning artwork, designed by Dan Fenelon, was chosen by a Community Panel including Mary Sue Sweeney-Price, Director & CEO of Newark Museum; Deputy Mayor Margarita Muniz; Jeremy Johnson, Philanthropic Liason to the City of Newark; Linwood Oglesby, Director Newark Arts Council; Hope Gamble, Newark Peace Education Summit Coordinator; Debby Kaminsky, Newark Yoga Movement; James Sheeley, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, NPS; Richard Grossklaus, VP Integrity House; and Chandri Barat, Executive Director of Barat Foundation.

The mural was being painted on 5′ x 5′ panels at over 10 Newark Schools and at the Barat Foundation at 765 Broad Street. Over 500 Newark youth, and scores of volunteers were directly involved in painting the Peace Mural!