Search Results

< Back Laurie Marshall Founder, President of Board of Directors For 35 years, author, speaker and artist Laurie has empowered youth and adults through creative collaboration. She practices Peace-Building through Art, inspired by Nature and founded The Singing Tree Project. For 35 years, Author, Innovator and Artist Laurie Marshall has empowered youth and adults through creative collaboration. She practices Peace Building through Art, inspired by Nature. A visionary educator, she has served mostly low-income children, families and their schools as an Arts Integration and Project Based Learning specialist. Her mission is to nurture creativity, a love of learning and a collaborative spirit. She is the founder of Unity Through Creativity Foundation and the Singing Tree Project. In addition, Laurie is a certified K-12 Art and Social Studies Teacher with training in the Waldorf Curriculum, Conversational Intelligence, Peace Literacy and Outward Bound. Her B.A. from Antioch College in history and education, and M.A. in art and education from Beacon College laid the groundwork for her innovative use of visual art and storytelling in consensus building, leadership training and conflict prevention. Clients have included NASA, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Botanical Gardens, as well as public schools, hospitals and prisons around the United States. After 15 years in California, she now lives in El Paso, Texas with her husband, Tom West, where she is a member of the El Paso Quaker meeting. Her two grown sons, Jeremy and Daniel Slack, live in El Paso and Austin, respectively. To see Laurie Marshall's art click here.

981ca1a9-eae1-40d8-a111-11428a0b0f29 Back to Gallery Mural # 61 FEMA Singing Tree™ of Learning 1/1 The FEMA Singing Tree was made at the Higher Education Symposium at the National Fire College in Emmitsburg, MD. Academia and Practioners making emergency management programs. Date: June 8, 2018 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Higher Education Symposium FEMA Higher Education Symposium Location: Emmitsburg, Maryland Previous Next

14bbb727-8c0b-41c9-929c-7fc3aa7ec0e6 Back to Gallery Mural # 48 Brain Singing Tree of Dreams 1/1 Brain Singing Tree of Dreams made by high school students from Compass High School. Date: June 5, 2017 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Lili Lopez Partners: NA Location: 720 Diablo Ave, Novato, CA 94947, USA Previous Next

05cab275-f431-4ee7-b7f6-e05083947a4e Back to Gallery Mural # 103 Singing Ash Tree of Abundance and Protection 1/1 CDEC worked with Ashfield Juniors Primary School in Workington on the Singing Ash Tree of Abundance and Protection. The Singing Tree Project is an invitation to gather, share, and weave community around an issue, and express it in a form of collaborative artwork. The school was healing the disruption in school community life caused by COVID. From Facilitator Gabi Lipska: "With a core team of 16 pupils from across all year groups, The Singing Tree went deeper into the concept of the children’s individual gifts and contributions as well as the need for protection and care for what they find precious in our community, both locally and globally.” The school’s newsletter reports "Together we designed a mural that was painted in the school hall with contributions from all members of the school community, including: pupils, teachers, wider staff and all the people who support the running of the school. Inspired by our emotional landscape, individual and collective stories and local nature, our Singing Tree is a unique account of healing and generative conversations.” “We reorganized our assemblies so that we can always face the artwork created, this way we can all look at it. It’s beautiful and it is a reminder of what we are committed to and capable of when we are together. It feeds into school values and inspires action” - Mrs Sue Frost, Headteacher at Ashfield Juniors Primary School, Workington. Date: January 13, 2022 Facilitator: Gabi Lipska Partners: Ashfield Juniors Primary School CDEC Location: Workington, UK Previous Next

274cb676-5fb4-4681-a626-bdc2594877fb Back to Gallery Mural # 9 The Willow Singing Tree of Gratitude 1/1 The Willow Singing Tree made by 100 children in a two week summer camp in Morgantown, West Virginia, with teens helping. The theme of this Singing Tree is "What Are You Thankful For?" 12' x 8' Facilitated by Deborah DeLap-Palmer , Morgantown, W. Virginia Date: August 2, 2005 Facilitator: Deborah DeLap-Palmer Partners: Art in the Parks Location: Morgantown, WV, USA Previous Next

e56e8189-b3de-429e-a21d-d31f41122be2 Back to Gallery Mural # 7 Tulip Singing Tree of Freedom From Addiction 1/1 Tulip Singing Tree of Freedom From Addiction "How do you cope with pain without hurting your body or breaking the law?" led by art students at McKees Rocks High School , outside of Pittsburgh, PA, made by 800 people from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Cuba, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, 2005 Date: August 1, 2005 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: McKees Rocks High School Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Previous Next

524cf667-4bd5-4217-8230-09b11cfaa6bb < Back Westinghouse High School Murals 1/1 In 2003, Laurie Marshall was an Artist-in-Residence at Westinghouse High School https://discoverpps.org/westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA. She facilitated three murals, each 8’ x 4’, around the academic subjects of Math, History and Health. 75 students participated. Pittsburgh, PA, USA Previous Next

09f534b9-8ec5-407a-bb54-2c4997ba218c Back to Gallery Mural # 121 Palo Verde Singing Tree of a Green and Connected El Paso 1/1 The Lead Design Team of this painting were members of the general public, ages 7 to 73, and the non-profit, Eco El Paso , which is dedicated to sustainability in a hot, arid climate. The Palo Verde tree is a heat-tolerant species that is native to Arizona, though not to El Paso. Blossoms, birds, and butterflies were added by the public at PBS’s Kids Bash and Unity Fest, organized by Plant-A-Seed USA , at Bassett Place Mall in El Paso. Families were invited to make images of the plants, animals, and people they loved in El Paso. Look for bees, cactus, ocotillo, geckos, a jaguar, turtle, ant, hawk, mommies, daddies, baby siblings, rabbit, spider, praying mantis, hummingbirds, fish, and coyote. Activist Judy Ackerman is also honored. She worked for 50 years for the Castner Range to become a National Monument and died the week before the 6672 acres became protected. The black tip rattlesnake, javelina, and mountain lion are included as important to the desert eco-system. A wildlife corridor across Transmountain with a mountain lion safely walking is a long-term vision for a transnational connected path for wildlife from Las Cruces to Juarez. “We honored Judy Ackerman who spent 50 years fighting for the Castner Range to be made into a Federal Park and died the week before it was official.” - Fernanda Lugo Date: August 31, 2023 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Eco El Paso PBS El Paso Plant-A-Seed USA Location: El Paso, TX, USA Previous Next

8088e6ad-69b6-4f43-8240-f31e36195526 Back to Gallery Mural # 108 The Magical Window Singing Tree 1/1 The Magical Window Singing Tree Mural was made at the Bioneers Conference in San Francisco. Date: May 20, 2022 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: https://bioneers.org/ Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Previous Next

International Day of Peace Symposium Simposio por el Día Internacional de la Paz Registration/Registro Sat., Sept 20th and Sun., Sept. 21st | Tomás Rivera Center UTEP First name* Last name Email* Phone Name of Organization/Nombre de su organización (Optional) Short summary about you or group/Díganos sobre usted o su grupo Link to your website or social/Enlace a su sitio web o redes sociales media How did you hear about the Symposium?* All meals will be vegetarian, honoring Peace with the Earth Check box if you want Saturday lunch/Marque si desea un almuerzo gratis el sábado Lunch Saturday/comida sábado ¿Nesecita interpretación en español? Spanish interpretation needed/nesecito interpretación en español Need ASL? ASL needed. Suggested donation for the Symposium $15 (includes Saturday Lunch) If you don’t want to make a donation, just click “Submit" Additional Donations Welcome Donation $15 $25 $50 Submit

< Back Rachel Quintana Secretary Rachel Quintana, a native of El Paso, Texas, is an advocate for community unification, public service and the well-being of children. Rachel Quintana, a native of El Paso, Texas, is an advocate for community unification, public service and the well-being of children. As a Public Relations and Organizational Communication major, with a Criminal Justice minor at the University of Texas in El Paso, she has been been in marketing and sales for the Denver Broncos, Farmers Insurance, DirectTV, FedEx and SCORE, among others. Rachel has demonstrated strong leadership skills in managing a team and supervising daily office operations, providing guidance and support to staff, setting performance expectations, providing feedback and addressing issues as they arise. Community unification and outreach is her passion. She served for four years as an El Paso City Councilwoman and volunteers for Planned Parenthood and Borderland Rainbow Center. Along with being an adventurous traveler, she is also deeply committed to her daughter and granddaughter.

International Day of Peace Symposium Saturday, Sept. 21st 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Tomas Rivera Conference Center University of Texas at El Paso Para español Symposium Report can be read here. In our world of conflict, are you committed to PEACE? If so, we invite you to commit to a full day dedicated to Peace with the Earth, Peace with Each Other and Peace Within. Hilda Ontiveros Shares Neema Soratgar's Essay Devon Peña Grandma Bea Peace with the Earth Panel Stephen Niamke Peace with Each Other Panel Peace Within Panel Time & Location Saturday, Sep 21, 8:30 am - 5:30pm This event will be held at the Tomas Rivera Conference Center, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), 351 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79902 Registration required. 160 people maximum participants. About the Event Unity Through Creativity, the Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest , the Centennial Museum , The Women’s and Gender Studies Center , the Dance and Theater Department , the Sociology Departments of UTEP and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute invite YOU to participant El Paso's International Day of Peace Symposium. High School students are welcome. The Symposium will be part of over 5000 nationwide gatherings for this year’s UN’s Global Peace Day , whose theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” As in past years, we will focus on Peace Within, Peace With Each Other and Peace with the Earth. The goal is to build and strengthen networks of local and national peace practitioners. We seek to achieve this end by fostering an Interactive and Creative Time featuring YOU - the participants! There will be Round Table discussions, local organization panels, live-streamed Speakers, Collaborative Art-making and Cultural Celebrations. Schedule National Speakers Peace with the Earth Devon Peña Professor, farmer, author, environmental and food justice defender and protector. He is founder and president of the Acequia Institute a non-profit grant-making foundation supporting environmental & food justice. Home is a 181-acre acequia farm in Viejo San Acacio, CO and is located on Nuchu - Dinè - Tewa - Genizarx lands and waters. Peace with Each Other Stephen Niamke A longtime community organizer and nonviolence trainer from Roanoke, VA, Stephen has joined the staff as National Field Organizer for Pax Christi.Grounded in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, Pax Christi USA is a membership organization that rejects war, preparation for war, every form of violence and domination, and personal and systemic racism. Peace Within Paul Chappell Paul K. Chappell is an international peace educator and founder of Peace Literacy. He graduated from West Point, was deployed to Iraq, and left active duty as a Captain. Realizing that humanity is facing new challenges that require us to become as well-trained in waging peace as soldiers are in waging war, Chappell created Peace Literacy to help students and adults from all backgrounds work toward their full potential and a more peaceful world. Local Hosts and Presenters Laurie Marshall Laurie Marshall, Author, Innovator and Artist, empowers youth and adults through creative collaboration. She is the founder of Unity Through Creativity and the Singing Tree™ Mural Project. Grandma Bea Grandma Bea, Beatriz Villegas (Ilhuicatlahuili-Bea), is an elder from Ciudad Juárez, México. Tawanda Chabikwa Movement Facilitator, Professor, Dance and Theater Department, UTEP Dr. Hilda Ontiveros Director of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Texas at El Paso Daniel Carey-Whalen Host of the Day, Director of the Centennial Museum Lynn Provenzano Meditation Leader, Director of UTEP's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Social Dancers The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Social Dancers are a tribal dance group which aim to educate audiences about Tigua heritage and culture. Hal Marcus Hal Marcus is an artist who has been painting for over 40 years and has been a long-term supporter of the Vegetarian community in El Paso. Music & Mindfulness Bettina Escudero, expert meditation teacher of Paso del Norte Mindfulness Consulting, using soothing music by El Paso Pro-Musica. Danza Azteca Omecoatl Aztec Dance Aurolyn Luykx Facilitator of the Day, UTEP's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Panelists Schedule (Subject to Change) IDOPS Schedule 9:00am - 9:20am Welcome by Daniel Carey-Whalen, M.A., M.U.P. Director, Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens and Dr. Hilda Ontiveros, Director of Women and Gender Studies of UTEP 9:20am - 9:30am Invitation to add to the Singing Tree Mural – Laurie Marshall 9:30am - 10:00am Aurolyn Luykx, Moderator for the Day - the importance of the pre- and post-assessment, a Fun Ice Breaker 10:00am - 10:30am Grandma Bea and Danza Azteca Omecoatl Blessing Peace with the Earth 10:30am - 11:00am Keynote Devon Peña, Professor, farmer, author, environmental and food justice defender and protector. 11:00am - 11:30am Panel of Local Community Organizations - Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens - Eco El Paso - Houston in Action (El Paso) - Amanecer - Chihuahuan Desert Climate Fellows- Climate Action Plan 11:30am – 11:35am Twin Hearts Meditation led by Lynn Provenzano 11:35am - 12:00pm Round Table – Artistic and Verbal Reflection 12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch Peace with Each Other 1:00pm - 1:30pm Second Keynote presentation Stephen Niamke. National Field Organizer, PAX Christi USA 1:30pm - 2:00pm Panel of Local Community Organizations - YWCA - Pax Christi - Restorative Justice - Project Regeneracion - Abara 2:00pm -2:25pm Round Table – Artistic and Verbal Reflection 2:25pm -2:30pm Dance led by Dr. Tawanda Chabikwa Peace Within 2:30pm - 3:00pm Paul Chappell, Former Army Captain, Peace Literacy and Human Needs 3:00pm - 3:30pm Panel of Local Community Organizations - Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest - Unity Through Creativity and The Neurobiology of Peace - Hal Marcus - Bettina Escudero 3:30pm -4:00pm Round Table – Artistic and Verbal Reflection Closing 4:00pm - 4:30pm Dr. Hilda Ontiveros will lead a Plenary Session – What’s Next? – 3 Actions 4:30pm - 4:40pm Reflection of the Singing Tree 4:40pm - 4:50pm Aurloyn Luykx - Post Assessment 4:50pm - 5:00pm Closing Daniel Carey-Whalen 5:00-5:30pm Peace Parade and Circle Dance led by Dr. Tawanda Chabikwa to Centennial Plaza Thank You to Our Sponsors Last Years International Day of Peace

5ddc2624-e4e6-454f-89f1-c5c6259496f5 Back to Gallery Mural # 81 AIMS Middle School Restorative Justice Singing Tree 1/1 Restorative Justice Singing Tree at Aims Middle School in Oakland , California. A project with Restorative Justice for Oakland youth RJOY . "Criminal Justice sees crime as broken laws and justice as punishment. Restorative justices sees crime as broken lives and justice as healing. Forgiveness is neither required or guaranteed in Restorative Justice. Nor is it a determinant of success. Success happens in well-prepared and well-facilitated encounters where persons who have been harmed feel safe enough to freely share their stories and express their needs and persons causing harm tell the truth, express remorse and responsibility and offer reparations. Success continues when all parties together fashion a plan to repair harm that is actually carried out. This may - or may not - lead to forgiveness. Either way, Restorative Justice has done its job." Fania Davis, The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice (Davis founded Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth ) Date: June 23, 2020 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Lili Lopez Partners: Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth California Arts Council Peaceful World Foundation Oakstop Location: 171 12th St, Oakland, CA 94607, USA Previous Next

40c94919-cd0e-47e4-a76c-463d99c75fd0 Back to Gallery Mural # 34 Sarajevo Singing Tree of Renewed Togetherness 1/1 Young people from different religions and ethnic groups in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzogivinia collaborated to create a Singing Tree mural. In the process, they learn team-building and leadership skills. Create Peace Project of San Francisco joined with ArtGrupa of Sarajevo to carry out this team-building project. The Singing Tree was part of the International Peace Convention to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War War in the place where it began. 500 children and their families contributed to the mural at the Children’s Festival, which began as a healing gathering after the conflicts of the 1990’s ended. Date: June 13, 2014 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Create Peace Project Art Grupa Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Previous Next

0acdbe98-0f9a-4c3a-bf2a-84861076f64f Back to Gallery Mural # 43 Rainbow Eucalyptus Singing Tree of One Planet Living 1/1 The Singing Tree of One Planet Living ! The Rainbow Eucalyptus Singing Tree of One Planet Living was made with students from Hill Education Center. The goal of this mural was to envision a sustainable way of living using the One Planet Living framework. Globally we are living as if we have more than one planet. In fact, ecological footprinting shows that if everyone in the world consumed as much as the average person in the US, we’d need five planets to support us. One Planet Living communities dedicate themselves to making a world where everyone, everywhere lives happy, healthy lives within the limits of the planet, leaving space for wildlife and wilderness. Over 200 people contributed their prayer for sustainable living at Bioneers . Date: October 24, 2016 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Lili Lopez Partners: One Planet Living Bioneers Location: 720 Diablo Ave, Novato, CA 94947 Previous Next