Whirled peace at St. Ann | Arts & Culture

September 21st was just another Wednesday for most Memphians, but for students at St. Ann Catholic School it was a day spent celebrating International Day of Peace and letting hatred and selfishness "spin" into the wind.

The "Pinwheels for Peace" project was the event that St. Ann School selected to participate in for International Day of Peace on Wednesday. It was a choice that St. Ann's art instructor, Deidre Seymour, felt was most appropriate for the 500 kindergarten through eighth graders.

"I first heard about 'Pinwheels for Peace' in an art publication last year and decided that this would be a great way for our students at St. Ann to participate in an international art instillation project," Seymour said.

The pinwheels were aligned in front of St. Ann School on Stage Rd. in Bartlett for people passing by to see. However, what you might have missed from afar were words written by students on one side of the pinwheels expressing their feelings about peace and the struggles they face daily.

"The pinwheels are whimsical and soothing to look at as they spin in the wind. They represent the turning of ideas from negative to positive and how conflict and peace are connected-like the two sides of the pinwheel; it's our choices that make the difference," Seymour said.

She was very clear in saying that in no way is this a political-based project, but rather a way to promote peace, "one of our primary values is toward peace and non-violence. 'Love thy neighbor as yourself...'."

Participating in International Day of Peace seems to have had a significant impact on the students at St. Ann.

"I know these issues weigh heavy on their hearts. Students have also mentioned that by focusing on peace they are much less likely to participate in or condone bullying behavior," Seymour said.

According to www.pinwheelsforpeace.com, around 3.5 million pinwheels were spinning in nations around the globe last year, and Seymour hopes that number will continue to grow.

"As knowledge of this project grows, we will see more and more pinwheels spinning on September 21st as an annual little happy to remind ourselves to lighten up, smile a little more and try and enjoy our lives."