Hey everybody,

Quick roundup of some interesting updates for the beginning of March. If you think this is good stuff, please encourage others to join the Peace Tiles groups on Razoo and at: http://www.ned.com/group/devarts /news/

* image Had a chat with a program officer at ArtVenturein Singapore, an arts charity run by businessmen. They are interested in funding Peace Tiles because of the "microgrant" program. The irony is that that is all they are likely to fund, which helps get creativity around important matters to where children are, while doing nothing for my bottom line. Creative ideas to leverage this opportunity welcome! Also, drop me an email at peacetiles@gmail.com if you would like to have a workshop included in the grant request.
* In a conversation with Susan Addy over in the Homowo group, the idea of a Peace Tiles "Create-A-Thon`_ was fleshed out. Its been something I've noodled on, but never really nailed to the wall until this concrete discussion. I have proposed two more, one to a local non-profit I consult with, and the other the Stephen Shames Foundation (Monica Nankoma) in Uganda. You can see a sample proposal by clicking the image to the right. Feedback welcome!
* Today am running another Peace Tiles training for AmeriCorps/VISTA members in the state. The theme will be, "What is the change I want to make in the world," and the purpose is to encourage reflection on how their AmeriCorps service fits into a longer path, as well as provide an introduction and training in the basic process.
* On the 11th March will run the first "Memory Tiles" idea, bringing together Senior Citizens in Cabot to reflect on "Life's Lessons" and produced a community mural from their works. I am really looking forward to this because it is very local, and a new topic for me.

This will be great groundwork to inform an emerging conversation with a Senior Citizens group in Barre, Vermont that is looking at ways to augment their civic involvement. I have proposed a similar workshop with their members, and we'll talk more in April.

* Have been in correspondence with the Goree Institute in Senegal through my mum around some possibilities of workshops for their leadership training programs. Their programs target youth and senior civil society actors around ways to strengthen participatory governance and culture sectors in Africa. If anything emerges they would take place in Q3 and Q4 this year.
* Getting ready to file papers for incorporation. Big leap and I've stalled in the past. The level of activity and the nature of some of Peace Tiles' barriers to growth leads me to believe its the right time to do this. I am also very grateful for Gayle's comment about a Peace Tiles "foundation" and I think this is the approach I will take: a public benefit corporation that receives monies for the purpose of promoting creativity in hard to reach places. One of the areas will be IDP camps. Please let me know if you have ideas in this area.
* I will close with a pointer to the incredible work of Anasuya Isaacs and Frerieke Van Bree who are bringing the Peace Tiles process to groups in the southwestern Cape of South Africa. Many of you have been instrumental in enabling these workshops to continue through your generous gifts (thanks to you $320 was sent to support a few more workshops there!). The HIV/AIDS workshops culminate with participants making Peace Tiles as a gift to someone who is also HIV+, something that, even if the person doesn’t speak their language, would understand their gift just by seeing it... Beautiful. You can follow along at Love to the World.

That's all for now. As ever a huge, massive attack of thanks to everyone contributing to the pool of ideas around what Peace Tiles is and can be - you help enormously!

Peace, and keep strong.

lars