Mayor Brennan Meets with
Seeds of Peace Participants
| ROCKY COAST NEWS

Brennan meets with 35 artists from nine countries today at MECA

PORTLAND | Today, City of Portland Mayor Michael Brennan will meet with educators and artists participating in Expressive Arts; Educational Action, a unique course offered by Seeds of Peace. The course, which runs from July 23 through August 7 at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, aims to connect and cultivate local and international peace-builders who believe in the power of the arts and the critical role they play in creating a better, more peaceful future. Participants have traveled from across the country as well as from Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, India, Israel, Pakistan, and Palestine to participate in the program. Today’s event is an opportunity for participants to meet with Mayor Brennan, local artists and educators to discuss best practices and ways to develop action plans they can bring back to their homeland to educate and empower youth through the expressive arts.

“Art can have a transformative effect in the community,” stated Mayor Brennan. “It can connect us to the environment, to each other, to a sense of greater purpose and it can help tear down the invisible walls that separate us. Art can help us discover a totally new idea, our sense of humor, a bigger vision or help us reclaim a sense of possibility and I am proud to support the Seeds of Peace in their effort to spread the power of art around the globe.”

The course will conclude with a one-of-a-kind performance featuring more than thirty-five artists and educators from nine countries in conflict, August 5, 2012, at Portland Stage Company (25 Forest Ave. Portland, ME). Doors open at 6:30 PM, with music beginning at 7:00 p.m. People of all ages are invited to attend. Donations welcome.

When: Thursday, July 26, 2012, 5:00 PM

Where: Maine College of Art, 522 Congress Street, Portland

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