FOCUS IN

Sarah S., artwork in progress.

Judy Stone-Nunneley and Karen Blessen

Throughout history, love has been the inspiration for great works of art. For this project, artists are asked to access the love that comes from deep within the heart. Unconditional love. Divine love. To create their own personal interpretations of love, in all its beauty, power, and wonder, in response to a quote provided with the lesson. The quotes are from poets, artists, peacemakers, humanitarians, and a range of spiritual traditions.

The project will culminate with a national online gallery, beginning on September 21 (International Day of Peace), and will feature art from students of all ages from every state. On January 6, 2022, local art exhibitions will open in schools, public libraries, community centers, and coffee shops to celebrate the power of art and love in action. Created by the Dallas-based nonprofit 29 Pieces, the American LOVE Project is a positive grassroots response to the divisions in our country.

Imagine what can happen when teachers all over the country show students how to connect with their inner strength, beauty, and courage.

Getting as many participants as we can is vital for the success of this project. We encourage teachers, students, artists, the general public, and communities across the country to join us. We hope to reach thousands of people so they can plant seeds of hope and universal love. This happens as each artist—young and old—processes the meanings, emotions, actions, and possibilities of love and makes inspired art to send a message of love to the world.

Teachers first learned about the project at the 2021 NAEA online virtual conference where we presented it to art teachers from across the country and Canada. Free online training continues into the fall, which includes an overview of the project and lesson, free online resources, the quotes, and method demonstrations, including hand lettering, collage, mixed media, and digital applications.

In the project, students and teachers explore how artists have been at the forefront of social justice change throughout history. Explorations include art by a diverse group of American artists, including Kerry James Marshall, Corita Kent, Tyree Guyton, Yolanda López, the Guerrilla Girls, Ben Shahn, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Maya Lin, and Shepard Fairey. Students learn how to relate current events to personal experience and how to create action steps to promote a positive theme.

Art educators who have introduced the project to students during the fall semester have found it to be a fantastic way to welcome students back and set the tone for the classroom community.

Art can change communities. This kind of activism is so necessary and so timely right now. We hope everyone is inspired by the individual stories created in each work of art. Learn more about the American LOVE Project at theamericanloveproject.org and visit 29pieces.org.

Judy Stone-Nunneley is the Grand Prairie ISD artist-in-residence and visual arts coordinator in Grand Prairie, Texas, and the American LOVE Project art education coordinator. judy@theamericanloveproject.org; Karen Blessen is founder and executive artistic director of 29 Pieces and executive director of the American LOVE Project. karen@29pieces.org