A couple of months ago, the creative director of a design agency in Berkley, California asked to use a poem I had recently written in reaction to the War in Ukraine for a global competition called Designers for Peace. This project is a perfect example of my vision for creating more elegance in our lives and in our world.
This juried competition invited designers, art directors, photographers, artists, and illustrators from around the world to create a collection of posters to support the people of Ukraine. Entry fees go directly to nonprofit Ukrainian humanitarian aid funds of World Central Kitchen and International Relief Teams.
The entry form states, “With the recent unprovoked incursion into Ukraine, we have received numerous inquiries about how the creative community can come together to support and aid the victims, the people of Ukraine.” The competition is sponsored by Graphis International, B. Martin Pedersen, and Kit Hinrichs, along with International Design Masters.
Of course, I was thrilled to be included in such an important and creative project. A couple of weeks later, I received a screenshot of the poster featuring my poem that Trinity Brand Group is entering in the worldwide competition. I was immediately drawn to the poster’s bold simplicity, the Ukrainian colors, and the hopeful mood of the design. The company’s creative director, Paul Kagiwada, explained, “We were inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidery, which uses motifs of garlands of flowers, to show the interconnectivity of the people to create a strong community.”
Whether or not the poster with my poem wins the competition is of little importance. What matters to me is the elegance of this worldwide collaboration to bring awareness, support, and aid to our fellow global citizens experiencing an unjust war that should deeply concern us all. It is my hope and prayer that by the time the posters are judged the war will turn to peace, and the real winners are the courageous people of Ukraine. §
“The art of peace begins with you.”
~Morihei Ueshiba
Featured Art ~ War Can Turn to Peace, design by Trinity Brand Group, 2022
The Simple Swan 
This is exciting that someone wanted your poem and put it into art work. Let us know what happens 🤗😁!
Sent from my iPhone
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