Vermont Art Teachers and their Students
have been devoting their creative energies towards creating "TEMENOS
BOOKS: Images for Global Healing Peace and Gratitude". These
images are part of a worldwide effort to shape a future that emphasizes
our interdependence with and shared responsibility for the wellbeing
of the Human Family and the living Earth. The Earth Charter is
a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable
and peaceful global society in the 21st Century.
The concept of creating Temenos to creatively
address world issues came from Vermont artists Cami Davis and
Sally Linder. In ancient Greek thought, the Temenos is a magic
circle where special rules apply and extraordinary events inevitably
occur. They believed that if artists of all ages created books
that were 8"x 8"and filled with visual affirmations
it would be a powerful expression of hope and healing. They believed
that changes in awareness precede meaningful action.
Each student Artist has found unique
ways to express their personal ideas regarding these issues. The
Vermont Art Teachers Association (VATA) thought this project would
be a powerful one to encourage students from all over Vermont
to participate in. These books speak eloquently to the unique
ability of the Arts to develop students self esteem and self-expression
as they apply their creative thinking skills towards building
a more sustainable future.
These books will be exhibited
around the state and brought to an event "For Love Of Earth-
A Celebration Of The Earth Charter" planned for September
9th, 2001 at Shelburne Farms. They will then be gifted to the
United Nations when the Earth Charter comes up for endorsement
in 2002. We hope that the power of these affirmative images for
a just, sustainable and peaceful future will be a powerful message
to all that see them.
