Peace of Art at Newton City Hall

Newton, MA - The 14th Peace of Art exhibit is open to the public until June 20th at the Newton City Hall, located at 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts. The exhibit is hosted by the honorable Mayor David B. Cohen and sponsored by City of Newton Alderman Christine S. Samuelson. The public is invited to meet the artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian at a reception on June 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City Hall rotunda.

"I am delighted to host the Peace of Art exhibit in the rotunda of Newton City Hall. Especially in a time of war, artistic expressions of peace take on an added significance. In a City like ours that values art and culture, the Peace of Art exhibit is a perfect fit." Said Mayor David B. Cohen.

Peace of Art, Inc., is a non-profit organization founded by Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, who left Soviet Armenia in 1979 to pursue his artistic freedom in Boston. In his Peace of Art collection he addresses sensitive issues around the globe. His paintings speak eloquently, as an inescapable mirror where we see our society and ourselves. He uses art to bring awareness to the universal human condition and to promote peace, independent of political associations and religious dogma. Peace of Art exhibit represents the endurance of the human spirit and a message of hope permeates through each piece in the exhibit.

"We believe that the universal language of art can bring people together, regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, or political associations.” Said Daniel Varoujan Hejinian. The exhibit is dedicated to the peacekeepers, peace achievers, and individuals who have placed themselves on the line for the betterment of humanity. Incidentally, it opened on June 1st in time for the City of Newton memorial service for its fallen heroes.

Since September 2003, Peace of Art has been exhibited in the Mogan Cultural Center in Lowell, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge City Hall, Chelmsford Public Library, Pollard Memorial Library of Lowell, Boston City Hall, Grand Concourse South Station, Stoneham Public Library, Gallery Z, Providence RI, Massachusetts State House, Brockton Public Library, and Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown.

It is through the creative process that the artist addresses issues of his/her time and often the artwork not only presents the problem but points out toward a solution as well. The Peace of Art images on display at the Newton City Hall form a mosaic of humanity, reflections of our society, promoting dialogue and challenging the viewer to reach his/her own conclusions.

"Peace of Art is an intense and powerful depiction of the human condition - hope and despair - it seeks to educate and promote tolerance, understanding and peace. " Said Alderman Christine S. Samuelson. Mayor David B. Cohen added, "Mr. Hejinian's unique work is powerful and purposeful. I hope all who visits Newton City Hall and views this exhibit leaves with a renewed resolve to promote peace in the world."

Sometimes the most eloquent of statements remain in the words left unspoken. The artwork expresses all that is left unsaid. For more information, please log onto www.PeaceofArt.org or call (617) 578-0278.

Rosario Teixeira