A 2009-2010 project conceived, curated, and led by Peter aimed at celebrating those often-unseen heroes among us: classroom teachers, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrants who survived harrowing journeys.
Using the Walters Art Museum‘s exhibition Heroes: Mortals and Myths of Ancient Greece as a point of departure, Art on Purpose worked with numerous community groups through spring 2009. Story-sharing and art-making workshops at schools and agencies serving people living with homelessness, immigrants and refugees generated art about deeds and attributes among the workshop participants akin to those of ancient Greek heroes—specifically, Odysseus and Helen of Troy. The resulting art went on view at the Walters in late 2009 and early 2010 in two exhibitions: A Thousand Ships and Twenty Years of Wandering.
WORKSHOPS
Art on Purpose worked with students and teachers at 12 Baltimore City Public Schools to create art honoring an individual within each school community with an inner beauty akin to the famed outer beauty of Helen of Troy—a person able to inspire others to action; to “launch a thousand ships.” Additionally, Art on Purpose worked with seven non-profit organizations whose efforts supported people living with homelessness, immigrants, and refugees. Workshop participants created pieces capturing their struggles, either leaving their home country to come to America, or living in homelessness in Baltimore—stories of wandering like that of Odysseus.
ONE THOUSAND SHIPS EXHIBITION
On view at the Walters Art Museum September 16 to November 8, 2009, One Thousand Ships featured art from Baltimore City Schools honoring their local heroes. A capstone event attended by more than 500 people celebrated the 12 highlighted individuals whose inherent charisma has had a life-altering impact on those around them. The exhibition and accompanying event spotlighted positive stories from within Baltimore’s school system.
TWENTY YEARS OF WANDERING EXHIBITION
On view at the Walters Art Museum November 11, 2009, to January 2, 2010, Twenty Years of Wandering featured select works depicting compelling stories of exile by clients from seven non-profit organizations in Baltimore. The project culminated with events about the Odysseus-level heroism it takes for refugees, immigrants and those in homelessness to survive and thrive in Baltimore.
INTERESTED IN CONNECTING?
Do you have ideas, thoughts, or questions you’d like to share with Peter? Do you want to introduce yourself and your work to him? Perhaps explore a collaboration or involvement in one of his projects? Then Peter wants to hear from you.
