Search Results

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

cd2b0b82-83f8-4904-97ce-37c0c433f144 Back to Gallery Mural # 139 The Vitex Singing Tree of Healing Relationship with Self, Earth, Others and the Divine 1/1 This mural began as the imagery for Co-Heart 8 of Singing Tree Facilitators who are in Florida, Illinois, California, Texas and Zambia. It was also created in conjunction with the anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Peace Symposium being put on at the University of Texas at El Paso on Sept. 21st, 2024. Vitex agnus-castus tree shrub is said to be Native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. The word vitex may derive from the Latin word “vieo” translating to weave. In various regions this weaving shrub may also go by the names of ”Lilac Chasteberry tree” or “Abraham’s balm.” Texas institutions may consider the Vitex tree shrub as a Texas Superstar Plant, growing deciduously, thriving through summer heat, sporadic rains, and freeze. The “Chaste tree” may have been migrated by settlers to the Northern American continent, possibly being since 1670. Due to extensive gardening, hardy growth, and widespread of seed production that colonizes near land; Vitex may be consider as an invasive plant, especially to Native people of the land. The Vitex tree may be seen in many places and spaces, influencing the earth. There is now an estimated existence of 250 international species of this shrub. Vitex may be utilized through specific consumption to promote human’s health; hormonal, reproductive, mental, and in the endocrine system. After blooming, some may cultivate its forms of medicine through tincturing and extraction. Vitex fruit and seed contain chemicals that seem to affect the human reproductive systems and mitochondrial membrane potential. The Apigenin flavonoid is the highly active phytoestrogen in Vitex, binding to the estrogen receptor then mimicking and modulating endogenous estrogens. Vitex seems to show potential for effective medical consumption and even weaving crafts. Date: September 21, 2024 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Casa Auto Group UTEP Women's & Gender Studies Program Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens Rotary Club El Paso UTEP Osher Lifelong Learning Institute UTEP College of Liberal Arts YWCA El Paso Quakers Location: El Paso, TX, USA Previous Next

efc5b8c9-6bc4-4d73-b71d-4b7af96f7045 Back to Gallery Mural # 120 The Ancestor Singing Tree to Protect Future Fruits 1/1 The mural was co-designed and painted by the 6th Co-Heart of Singing Tree Facilitators starting in April,2023. The Co-Heart was made up of people from the University of Pittsburgh's Fulbright Expedition to Kenya led by educational anthropologist Dr. Maureen Porter. In addition, teaching Artist Ernesto Armando Guambe of Maputo, Mozambique, Tilji John , Masai elder of Kenya and four facilitators in El Paso, Texas and one in Napa, California joined the “Peace Building Through Art” training program. The children and the earth’s eco-systems are the "Future Fruits.” 12 books are included as a way to protect the children. The United States, Mexico, Europe and Africa are portrayed to symbolize the heritages and journey of members of the co-heart. Ernesto sent his drawings of the giraffe, lion and snake via email, which were then painted by Co-Heart members in El Paso. The animals are directing their attention to the baby in the womb of the Willow tree. The El Paso desert landscape is also portrayed. The elder man and woman emerge out of the tree roots and the river flowing from the roots surrounds the heart. Date: August 7, 2023 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: University of Pittsburgh Isaac Art and Wellness Center International Cities of Peace Location: El Paso, TX, USA Previous Next

849e0500-61e4-4bc2-94c4-d14194994ea8 Back to Gallery Mural # 44 The Gingko Singing Tree to Strengthen the Beloved Community 1/1 The Gingko Singing Tree to Strengthen the Beloved Community, before D.C. employees added their visions. Co-facilitated with Joan Wangler and made possible by Ina Gjikondi-Cecchetto through George Washington University's Leadership development program. With Yvona Smith. Date: February 22, 2017 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Joan Wangler Partners: George Washington University Location: 2121 I St NW, Washington, DC 20052 Previous Next

7c35f76a-1c25-4768-b0d3-971d5b356f06 Back to Gallery Mural # 104 Cyprus Singing Tree Of Peace 1/1 The Cyprus Singing Tree of Peace is the Year 1 mural of the five-year Cyprus Singing Tree Mural Project. UTC is collaborating on this project with with Marina Neophytou and Alden Jacobs of Visual Voices, a peacebuilding-though-art organization in Nicosia ( https://visual-voices.org ). The Cyprus Singing Tree Mural Project includes people on both sides of the divided island working to create a networking of peacebuilding and address the deep wounds and civil disruption the began with the civil war in 1974. The Cyprus Singing Tree of Peace was created by a Lead Design Team of artists from both sides of the country with the participation of a large number of members of the wider community. The project was carried out in the Buffer Zone with the support of the Cyprus Ministry of Culture and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), as well as private donors in the United States. The mural is installed on an exterior wall of the UNFICYP headquarters in the Buffer Zone. The Cyprus Singing Tree of Peace Mural this video was made by Visual Voices Date: April 4, 2022 Facilitator: Alden Jacobs and Marina Neophytou Partners: Visual Voices Location: Nicosia, Cyprus Previous Next

299d4ea7-f294-4d17-8573-956110f97c22 Back to Gallery Mural # 40 Arts in April Singing Tree 1/1 Arts in April Singing Tree the driving question "What is your wish for the arts in Napa?" Date: April 25, 2015 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Carol Lorraine Partners: Arts in April Location: Calistoga, CA 94515, USA Previous Next

38d45ce7-d56c-434b-8e2a-9e18ae09eb96 Back to Gallery Mural # 31 Madrone Singing Tree Of Vision to Action 1/1 Madrone Singing Tree Of Vision to Action made with St. Stephens School and Bioneers Conference . Date: October 23, 2013 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Lili Lopez Partners: Bioneers St. Stephens School Location: Civic Center Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903, USA Previous Next

0e81b8f7-7f1d-45fd-8545-3cc1bccad02a Back to Gallery Mural # 138 The Singing Tree of Ms. Rivera 1/1 Ms. Maya Rivera, 33, was a 4th grade teacher at Monterrey Elementary School in Roswell, New Mexico. She lived a beautiful life that ended way too soon. Her friends and family know her as their “Little Teacher” with a big personality. Often found scooting around in her chair making others laugh, she was much loved by her family, students and fellow staff members. Her love of dairy cows, coffee, Door Dash and her students was known to the community, where she had taught for seven years. She was recently celebrated as a “Teacher of Character”. The Singing Tree ® of Ms. Rivera seeks to capture these qualities. Tamra Gedde , head of Roswell’s Creative Learning Center , responded immediately to the tragic untimely loss of Ms. Rivera by facilitating a Singing Tree® mural as a tribute to her and as a way for the students and community to grieve together. The universe in the background represents all that connects the children, families, staff and community of Monterrey. The oak tree represents Ms. Rivera. Her roots are deep within the Earth. Ms. Rivera is also honord by the heart with a black and white cow pattern, a yellow Monterrey banner and a red “R”. She will always be in the hearts of the community. The painting is a reminder of the sweet memories of the beloved educator. The 4th graders drew their memories, love and prayers on the birds. They are the birds. Teachers contributed their memories on the leaves, as did some students. Ms. Rivera’s unstoppable sense of humor appears as the cow peeking out from the tree. Date: July 18, 2024 Facilitator: Tamra Gedde, Executive Director, Creative Learning Center Partners: Monterrey Elementary School Location: Roswell, NM, USA Previous Next

5702e785-026c-4d70-b32e-1433cc3765c9 Back to Gallery Mural # 33 The Banyan Singing Tree of Interfaith Movement 1/1 The 32nd Singing Tree - the Banyan Singing Tree of United Religions. A culminating project for 25 young people from around the world in Leadership Training program. Date: April 8, 2014 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall and Ross Holzman Partners: United Religions Initiative Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Previous Next

438c57c5-01b0-49c4-a36f-bc4893e67d1c Back to Gallery Mural # 74 The Lemon-Cherry Singing Tree of Peace 1/1 50 students, 3rd through 8th grade, led this STEAM project, serving 350 students in South San Francisco. It's the Lemon-Cherry Singing Tree of Peace, sponsored by Young Audiences of Northern California . Here is the statement they shared with 800 family members: We have created the Lemon-Cherry Singing Tree of Peace. 50 of us helped design and paint it. Please stand up if you were in the mural class. 350 people contributed to it. This is the 77thSinging Tree mural in a Forest of Singing Trees. The murals were made by 19,000 people from 52 countries. The project began when an 8 year-old girl asked our teacher Ms. Laurie “What if the whole world made a painting together?” She loved the vision of everyone working together. The name of the Project came from a story in a book called The Singing Tree”: One night during World War I, soldiers crawled all night long on their bellies to escape the enemy. Everything had been destroyed by war. There was nothing left alive. When the dawn came, one tree had survived. There were birds that aren’t normally together, singing a song that had never been heard before. Our Earth is the Singing Tree of the Galaxy. We can destroy it and each other, or create something beautiful that has never been seen before, like the Cherry-Lemon Singing Tree of Peace. We chose the theme of our mural to be Peace. “Peace is Conflict done well!” means we prepare ourselves to be Peace Leaders. We use our breathing, our listening and our art to calm ourselves. We stand up for ourselves without being mean. We also drew pictures of our ancestors on the birds, for we wouldn’t be here without them. We honored the animals and insects that are going extinct. Life is trying to survive, but it’s getting rejected by our doings. That’s why we put 350 on the mural. It stands for the 350 parts per million of Carbon Dioxide we need for life on Earth. It’s 415 and going up. If we work together, we’ll get it done, like we got the Singing Tree done. We’ll protect the Earth and each other. We stand for Peace and Love and Helping Everyone. We stand for Peace. Date: July 23, 2019 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Young Audiences of Northern California Location: South San Francisco, CA, USA Previous Next

1d8ca89e-d57f-4e1d-8ff7-2010054c1f89 Back to Gallery Mural # 150 The Elm Singing Tree of Light in the Darkness 1/1 This painting was created for the benefit of Candlelighters, El Paso, a non-profit who serves children and their families experiencing cancer. It was made possible by a donation from CASA Nissan to Unity Through Creativity Foundation, who facilitated its creation. Over 100 people attending the International Day of Peace Symposium on Sept. 20th and 21st at the University of Texas at El Paso contributed images of Light in the Dark on the leaves and prayers for those being served by Candlelighters. The children and their families added images on the candles and birds. The central figure of a child holding a candle in the darkness stands for all children who are wrestling with hardship and challenge, specifically with cancer. The Singing Tree® Mural Project began in 1999 when an 8-year-old girl asked “What if the whole world made a painting together?” Using the model of trees and forests, over 27,000 people from 64 countries have made 150 murals that demonstrate the beauty, power and possibility of collaboration. The whole world’s invited. Date: November 21, 2025 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Casa Nissan Location: El Paso, TX, USA Previous Next

9312e1be-ec29-40c3-b717-02e43f42086a Back to Gallery Mural # 3 Apple Singing Tree of Appreciation 1/1 The Apple Singing Tree, whose creation was led by students from Peabody and Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, PA, with the apples being made by handicapped students of the Children’s Institute . 12' x 8' Date: August 11, 2002 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Peabody High School Mt. Lebanon High School Children’s Institute Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Previous Next

1b78c485-b312-4336-b26c-4392c0c98a7c Back to Gallery Mural # 136 The Singing Tree of a Just and Democratic Economy 1/1 Our topic centered on how money works and how our exchanges can be better grounded in Natural reciprocity, Democratically , and Justly. Throughout the open to the public sessions, we explored the process of creative collaboration that emerges in Singing Tree Murals and shared our views on money, challenges in economics, and even our life story engaging in this debt-based economic system. We reshaped our collective view of the economy as a series of exchanges that happen in nature with the theme of generosity, just as they happen in trees. We learned about crows offering gifts and the incredible collaboration of crabs , both of which are honored in the final design of the collaborative mural. We talked about trees and how they represent the ultimate model of generosity, creating habitats and participating in multiple reciprocities. Each session included creative time where participants tapped into their free-flowing and non-judgmental creativity to create a shared vision. We also drew currency together and discussed what an ideal form of currency would look like, understanding that form follows function, and that we need the function to work better for us. the first session was online Dec 5th 2023, and the last final online session was April 8th... Read whole article here. Date: June 15, 2024 Facilitator: Fernanda Lugo Partners: Location: El Paso, TX, USA Previous Next

245087f5-2306-4a16-af56-97de735f5541 Back to Gallery Mural # 107 The Shanel Valley Academy Singing Tree of Community and Culture 1/1 Shanél Valley Academy (SVA) Singing Tree of Community and Culture is a peace-building-through-art project that commemorates the re-opening of a beloved community school. Our Singing Tree project honors the re-naming of the school after the principal local indigenous village of Shanél, which acknowledges with honor the Sho-Ka-Wah and Hopland People on this traditional ancestral and un-ceded land. When the former school closed 10 years ago, students suddenly were bussed to various schools in the region, some of which were more than an hour’s drive away. An important place for learning, teaching and gathering for this small community of 900 people (now known as Hopland) was lost. With the re-opening of the school as a free public charter school after a determined community effort, a generation of students who had never gone to school together now came together daily to learn, to play, to ride bikes together and to grow into community leaders. The school's STEAM-based, project-based curriculum, designed to educate the whole child in a culturally supportive environment, was developed in partnership with the Hopland Band of Central Pomo Indians whose children make up 35% of the school population. The mural’s Lead Design Team was made up of 4th, 5th and 6th graders who worked alongside Singing Tree Facilitators Leslie Rein and Diana Sciarretta . In crafting a theme for the project, the Design Team emphasized the intimacy of their new school compared to the huge schools they had been forced to attend previously, the benefits of being home and going to school where they live. They honored the oak trees, the apple and pear trees, and the nearby river, all in the shadow of Duncan’s Peak, the sacred traditional mountain which stands within view of the school buildings. Ramón Billy Jr., Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Hopland Tribal Council, gave teachings about the importance of the Valley Oak Tree, with its acorns and oak balls; the Sedge Bush, its roots used in making baskets, Feliz Creek, the river that runs through the valley, and the tule elk. All must be cared for. With the help of every student in every grade, all the staff, community volunteers and many parents, the Lead Design Team painted a Singing Tree mural measuring 14 feet high by 24 feet long on a wall in the school’s main breezeway. They glued hundreds of leaves to its branches. Each leaf shows the unique beauty and sensibilities of the person who shaped and colored it. Every day the entire SVA community passes through the joyously painted breezeway. On weekends other members of the Hopland community pass through the breezeway on their way to the school’s basketball hoops and playground. The Singing Tree of Community and Culture expresses the preciousness of local, deeply rooted relationships and forward-thinking creativity. “The greatest thing [that went well with the project] was the deep sense of community that developed as we went along. … I saw kids working together who don’t normally choose to be together, and I saw so much kindness.” - Leslie Barkley, 5th and 6th grade teacher “Doing a project together is actually cooler than I thought it would be.” - Lee, student “I’m proud of what we accomplished. It’s amazing.” - Logan, student Date: May 27, 2022 Facilitator: Leslie Rein and Diana Sciarretta Partners: NA Location: Hopland, CA 95449, USA Previous Next

72caa361-96f2-4614-b35d-0b0568d04abc Back to Gallery Mural # 4 Linden Singing Tree of Appreciation 1/1 The Linden Singing Tree led by students from Mt. Lebanon and Peabody High School in Pittsburgh, PA. Over 800 people worked on it from inner city and suburban areas. It was exhibited at the U.S. Botanic Gardens . 12' x 8' The theme was "What do you love the most on this earth." Date: August 2, 2002 Facilitator: Laurie Marshall Partners: Mt. Lebanon Peabody High School U.S. Botanic Gardens Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Previous Next