CITYarts Peace Walls

Wetteren, Belgium (2022)

After creating an amazing 642 CITYarts Pieces for Peace, the youth of Wetteren were not done yet! CITYarts was joined in the creation of the 7th Global Peace Wall by students from five schools in Wetteren, community members, local teachers, and enthusiastic city officials, under the direction of artist Wim Finck. On the Cordonnier site at the Music Academy, the Peace Wall was inspired by the many Pieces for Peace artworks that the students created. The earth, protective hands, doves of peace, and children are all symbols of Peace to this community. “The flowers in the design are also a nod to the plant community of Wetteren,” says artist Wim Finck.

Toro, Spain (2022)

We had over 30 youth come together to visualize peace in the future in their lives and in the world. Every day more enthusiastic volunteers came to work with us, some from France, Guernica, and recent immigrants from Ukraine. Under the direction of artist Carlos Adeva, participants combined multiple ideas reflected by images from Toro, such as the vine and grapes which symbolize the wine that is produced there, including CITYarts Drink to Peace wine. We also painted flags from around the world together and added the names of the different countries the young people come from.

Berlin, Germany (2013)

This Peace Wall brings Berlin and multicultural youth together with students from diverse EU countries and communities to create a mosaic that reflects on Berlin’s complex and often tragic past while looking forward into a future of peace envisioned by  today’s generation of European youth.

The Mosaic Peace Wall was produced in the historic Mitte district of the city on a street known to many as the “Street of Tolerance” because of its proximity to the Old Jewish Cemetery, a landmark Protestant church, a historic Catholic hospital, and the Jewish School.

In a city once known primarily for being divided, the Peace Wall at a site of such historic and emotional importance is a significant contribution to the community. This wall connects - not divides - and celebrates the peaceful future that can be realized through the engagement of tomorrow’s leaders.

London, United Kingdom (2012)

The mural was created with the help of professional artists Sadie Edginton and Joanna Nowek. Local youth and the public had the opportunity to participate in Pieces for Peace art workshops and helped create the Peace Wall mural on one of London Overground’s walls. The Peace Wall is located at Regents Canal Bridge on Dunston Road (under Haggerston Overground Bridge).

Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel (2011)

Under the direction of two artists, Yoav Weiss and Salma Shehade, one Jewish and one Arab, 50 workshops took place in Tel Aviv-Yafo. This work took place at the home base of the after school programs – at the schools, the Arab-Hebrew Theatre of Yafo, the Peres Center for Peace, and other locations.

The Peace Wall was created in Ajami/Gabalia with the full collaboration of the neighborhood youth and the workshop participants through our educational partners. During this time, we also worked with the participants to create a neighborhood garden with The Council for a Beautiful Israel.

We created a Leadership Club, led by the Tabeetha School, to be in charge of the maintenance and care of the wall.

Karachi, Pakistan (2007)

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Grouting and tiling and cementing – apart from being extremely good for those of us who aspire to tone their muscles – actually made one feel useful.

It was a nice change – if I fail to get a decent degree I know the perfect career option now – bathroom tiling! It made one realize the reason why humankind in general is going down the drain today: lack of teamwork. The most wonderful part was working with all the beautiful colours and textures and at last actually making it mean something.

The wall represents Pieces for Peace and it really is what this city, in fact this whole world, needs desperately at present; protection of its forests and glaciers, of its hundreds of nations and their thousands of cultures and faith.

Harlem, New York (2005)

Restored in Summer 2019

This 213-foot-long permanent mosaic wall, at the Jacob H. Schiff Park in Harlem, is one of CITYarts’ most recognizable projects due to its scale and international scope.

The mosaic project was an integral part of CITYarts’ first international youth-led initiative, CITYarts Pieces for Peace. Launched in 2004, Pieces for Peace enabled students, ages 12 to 18 from the U.S. and around the world, to share their visions for a more peaceful future and to translate those ideas into personal works of art.

Representative images and poems from this massively collaborative art project were incorporated into the design of the Jacob H. Schiff Park mosaic wall, under the artistic direction of the award-winning children’s illustrator and artist Peter Sís.