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The InterRelations Collaborative, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization established in 1991 with a grant from the United Way of New York City to promote cross-cultural relations among rapidly diversifying populations in New York City.
The IRC has conducted nationwide research documenting cross-cultural community-building models in major U.S. "gateway cities" (e.g. New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco).
IRC's research models included a cross-cultural arts model which used the power of story and art to build cross-cultural understanding. Distinguished Professor of Art at the University of California, San Diego, Faith Ringgold, and New York City artist, Lisa Yi, collaborated on a “story quilt," a genre of art originated by Ms. Ringgold. The Ringgold-Yi cross-cultural story quilt incorporated aspects of their respective cultural experiences. In Yi’s words: “We created a bridge of time and place.”
Following the tragic events on September 11, 2001, the Collaborative brought together young people from across New York City to document their experiences on 9/11. In their own words and images, they produced a book titled What Will You Do For Peace? Impact of 9/11 on New York City Youth calling for peace and understanding. Their moving narrative and compelling artwork caught the attention of celebrated visual artist, Faith Ringgold, and they were honored to publish their book in association with her.
In her introduction to the "Peace Book," Ms. Ringgold writes: "When I was shown the layout for a new book titled What Will You Do For Peace? my heart filled with joy. What a beautiful collaboration, a perfect response from New York City's young people, aged 11 to 19. This gracefully poetic account of that frightening day in their young lives is a gift of sensitivity and love. I was amazed at their generosity of spirit. I found the paintings and expressive verse in the book deeply inspiring."
These young authors were successful in getting their voices out and sending their message of hope and healing across their stricken city. The Peace Book now resides in more than 100 branches of the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Borough Public Library. The Peace Book is available at Amazon.com
Peace Story Quilt in the Grossman Gallery at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
In 2006, the IRC commissioned Faith Ringgold to design a Peace Story Quilt inspired by the Peace Book to be constructed in collaboration with students, ages 8-19. During a series of master classes, Ms. Ringgold mentored Peace QuiltMakers on how to transfer their 9/11 oral history and accompanying images from hardcopy to canvas. The Peace Story Quilt, composed of three panels, each measuring 72”x 50,” was completed for the 5th anniversary of 9/11. The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt was exhibited at ACA Galleries in Lower Manhattan and launched on its journey to spread young New Yorkers’ call to peace and understanding across their “global city.” The Peace Story Quilt will also bring its message of peace and healing to other cities directly affected by tragic events on 9/11. The Peace Quilt will then travel across country to educational venues on its peace-building journey coast to coast. The Peace Quilt's itinerary is posted below.
IRC’s Peace QuiltMaking Model is now being replicated at community organizations and public schools in increasingly diverse classrooms across New York City. Peace Quilt Workshops are conducted in collaboration with Patricia Maunder, Director of Stories Through Art.
In 2008, the Peace Book is also being adapted to visual format to be used as an “audiovisual tool” to capture the attention of young audiences and set an empowering tone for cross-cultural dialogues. The Peace Video was produced in collaboration with Rafaela Capellan of Areyto Productions. The soaring youth anthem featured on the audiotrack was composed by award-winning composer, Jim Papoulis, of Sounds of A Better World, and performed by The Young People's Chorus of New York City.
IRC taps the power of shared public history and uses extemporaneous performance as a “mobilizing tool” to facilitate cross-cultural exchange. The Peace Quilt Project carves out creative space in which young New Yorkers from across the city can come together, explore diverse experiences, and discover the common ground that they share.
Columbia University
Baruch College
Bank Street College
Wagner College
Queens College
If you would like to be included on the Peace Story Quilt's journey and display the Peace Quilt for educational purposes at your school, university, museum or other organization, please Contact Us
The InterRelations Collaborative gratefully acknowledges the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The FAR Fund, Lutheran Disaster Response of New York, United Methodist Committee on Relief and The United Way of New York City for IRC's award-winning research and educational programs.
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