art

As I have written before, FOR organizer Bayard Rustin had an impact on my small North Carolina hometown when he was arrested here during the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation.

Phill Blank is a Carrboro, NC artist who is known for his skillful and surreal portraits. His work is often inspired by Buddhist ideals or by local culture and history. Earlier this year, he created this illustration of Bayard Rustin:

Read on for the artist's statement published in the Carrboro Citizen:

Poster by Tehrani artist Behrad Javanbakht

Graphic designer Daniel Smith of Seattle, Washington, shares the following report of a creative conversation he is pursuing with artistic colleagues in Iran. FOR's 5th peace delegation to Iran are finding creative ways to engage in dialogue and build relationships with professional peers, despite the political walls being erected by their two governments.

Solidarity with the Iranian people in words and deeds is a fundamental goal of this trip. Meeting Iranians throughout the city of Tehran has been enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable. They are open, honest, warm and invariably accepting of Americans. They are excited to see that we are truly interested in them, a valuable antidote to the political rhetoric from the States on which the Iranian media focuses.

The Puppetista group has been working on a puppet based pageant for the SOA Watch Vigil over the past week. The resulting drama celebrates the life of Companera Rufina Amaya, sole survivor of the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador, who passed away this year, through a story of corn as the symbol of Life and Regeneration.

Dearest friends,
Please mark November 10th as an opportunity to make Art, strengthen relationships and co-conspire for a better tomorrow.

Come join the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Youth Against War and Racism and Iraq Veterans Against the War in plotting for:
-truth in military recruiting,
-demilitarized youth culture,
-career, educational and creative community opportunities,
-generational economic justice and more!