Hi guys! 

                  I need your input and help on a project.  I am involved in an art project to promote cultural awareness AND help people speak their mind after the tragedy on Sept. 11.  Muslims, Jews, Christians, Native Americans, and many other religions use stones as symbols of strength, courage, and the casting away of unwanted feelings.  As a class we are submitting a collaborative project using stones.  We are asking that members of our local community  (and possibly around the world) send us stones to be added to our project.  The stones can be written on, painted, incised, decorated any way you like, or not at all.  The stones can be purchased or found.  The important thing is that your stone is meaningful to you.  You could draw a flag on it, write a word, tell a story, or simply send a wish of peace.  We will stack the stones and allow visitors to add stones as they view the exhibition.  We will research the tradition of the stone as a symbol and have information available at the show.  The point will be to allow everyone a theraputic output for their feelings during this time of tragedy, while informing them that although religions and people are different, we are all similar in more ways than we think. 

                We are working on a proposal to get our project into the faculty show at UCF under our professors name (and possibly other shows as well).  What I need from you is your input.  How can I make this project better?  Would any of you be willing to participate by sending a stone?  Does anyone have any information about stones in religion?  Please Help if you can, this project is personally very meaningfull.   After hearing someone in class talk about the importance of stones, and propose this idea, I went home and created over 50 stones myself.  Not only was it theraputic to be activley involved, but it helped me clear my head and think about how I really feel about this tragedy.  Please help me if you can, Thanks in advance!

 

Peace, Love, and Harmony!

Lori *Smiles*