Monday 21st September is International Day of Peace and to celebrate we’re going to focus our Saturday Art Club on its 2020 theme: Shaping Peace Together. 

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21st September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. This year, after the impact of COVID-19, it is now more important than ever for us to be kind and compassionate to one another. 

At GoMA, we pride ourselves in our inclusion, equality and acceptance and we always aim to promote these values through our collections and public engagement. To celebrate this global event, we’re inviting you to create hand banners that symbolise these values. 

“I think everybody should be nice to everybody”

Andy Warhol

You will need: 

• Paper- white or coloured
• Pencil and coloured pencils 
• Pens 
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sellotape  
• Paint [optional]

Cut out a number of handprints of members of your household, making half left hands and half right hands. You can use white or coloured paper, whichever you prefer. 

In the middle of each hand print, write down what peace means to you or why it is important to you; if you need inspiration, here are some quotes to get you started: https://peacealliance.org/tools-education/peace-inspirational-quotes/ 

Remember to leave room to decorate the rest of your handprint with colouring pens and pencils. Alternatively, if you’re using white paper you may want to start off by painting your handprints different colours, leaving them to dry, and then writing your quotes over the paint. 

If you’re feeling messy, you can even create handprints by using paint on your hands to print them onto paper, before leaving them to dry and then cutting them out. 

Pair the hands up and create a chain by glueing the thumbs and little fingers together. Hang your banner.

Find out more about International Day of Peace 2020 here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace