For students of Madison-Carver Academy Art Teacher Christa Perdue, something magical happens when paint meets canvas. Students not only embark on a journey of self-expression, but also advocacy that extends beyond the classroom as their artwork is publicly displayed at a Detroit peace gallery.
Creating a Vision of Peace
While a student attending Wayne State University (WSU), Mrs. Perdue’s journey championing the rights of children through the transformative power of art began when a professor connected her with an opportunity to work with young students in exhibiting their artwork. With that, 20 years of dedication to Visions of Peace blossomed.
Visions of Peace is a program from the WSU Peace and Conflict Studies department, celebrating young people’s understanding of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child. The annual art exhibit, which has been held at Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center & Gallery in Detroit since 2001, is “poignant, delightfully inspiring and illustrates hope for the world’s future.”
Empowering Young “Artivists”
For the past 10 years, Mrs. Perdue has partnered with Washington-Parks Academy Art Club teacher Heather Helton to have their students participate in Visions of Peace, creating pieces that express love, peace and understanding, while learning about becoming advocates for social change.
According to Perdue, this is an opportunity for students to process some of the challenges in life. “Our world is full of hard things to deal with,” she explained. “We really hope the kids can take this experience and bring it into their own futures to make the world a better place.”
Celebrating Budding Artists
Just like professional exhibit openings at galleries and museums, Visions of Peace kicks off with an artists’ preview and reception for families. Students are ecstatic to enter the gallery and see their works displayed on the massive walls. “We make it a big deal,” says Perdue with a smile. “They get a nametag that says ‘Artist.’ And when they’ve found their art, they are very excited to come tell you.”
Perdue and Helton then take all of their art students on a field trip that begins at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). “After our field trip to the DIA, they feel like a real artist because they’re exhibiting their work, too,” Perdue added.
Celebrating Budding Artists
Just like professional exhibit openings at galleries and museums, Visions of Peace kicks off with an artists’ preview and reception for families. Students are ecstatic to enter the gallery and see their works displayed on the massive walls. “We make it a big deal,” says Perdue with a smile. “They get a nametag that says ‘Artist.’ And when they’ve found their art, they are very excited to come tell you.”
Perdue and Helton then take all of their art students on a field trip that begins at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). “After our field trip to the DIA, they feel like a real artist because they’re exhibiting their work, too,” Perdue added.
In the Steps of Dr. King
The Swords Into Plowshares Peace Gallery is a ministry of Central United Methodist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke about peace during the Vietnam War. During their field trip, students had the opportunity to enter the sanctuary and stand at the pulpit where Dr. King gave his speed – a particularly meaningful opportunity for Cornerstone students as the schools’ mission is inspired by Dr. King’s words.
It is Mrs. Perdue’s hope that the impact of this opportunity extends beyond the gallery walls, resonating within the hearts and minds of her students so they can discover the transformative potential of their own voices, and that they carry with them the invaluable lessons learned from their time spent creating art with a purpose.
Watch below to see students visit the gallery and hear from Mrs. Perdue: