2nd International Celebration of Peace: Africa

Jocelyn Pleasant

Artists for World Peace began in 2003.  Its members, artists and activists, have a goal to feed the hungry, house the poor and encourage peace throughout the world, working one person, one family, one community at a time.  Founded by Wendy Black-Nasta (Executive Director) and Dr. Robert Nasta (Musical Director) the history of Artists for World Peace began with the creation of The International Peace Belt.
Wendy Black-Nasta, an internationally acclaimed jewelry designer, received a phone call in 2000 from Hartford Courant and Connecticut Magazine reporter Bill Daly.  She was one of four artists that he reached out to inquiring about ideas on how to incorporate old European currency, that was being replaced by the Euro, into an art work.  Wendy first thought was of one of her jewelry students who was also a belly dancer.  The mesmerizing sight and sound of the bells that she wore became inspiration for a “belt for peace.” She began sending out requests to family, friends and clients asking them to send her a coin from their country.  When coins were unattainable from some countries Wendy used gemstones found in that particular region. Twenty-four months later she had acquired 144 pieces and with a team of apprentices and former students the belt was fabricated in the summer of 2003.  The Peace Belt made its first international appearance later that year at an event in India, attended by more than 150,000 people.  This successful premier event led to the creation of the foundation.

Since that first event in 2003, the International Peace Belt has traveled to more that twenty-five countries on five continents and has been worn during hundreds of artistic performances, sacred ceremonies and at peace and spiritual gatherings.  It has traveled to New York City (Ground Zero), South Korea, Haiti, Spain, Brazil, Tanzania, Egypt, Tonga and many other locations around the world.  Coins and gemstones are continually added to the belt as it traverses the globe.  The belt has become a living link between cultures and a symbol of peace and unity of all nations, of all people as one. 

To support their projects around the world Artists for World Peace will be hosting its 2nd International Celebration of Peace on Saturday, May 1- 6pm at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown.  This year they will celebrate Africa in anticipation of AFWP's fourth trip to Tanzania.  The gala will feature African cuisine, an art auction of superb African-inspired work, and live music and dance, including performances by percussionist Jocelyn Pleasant and The Manding Troubadors, Abraham Adzenyah and the Wesleyan University West African Ensemble, and Sankofa Kuumba Dance Ensemble.  Joining members of the Artists for World Peace on this summer's sojourn to Tanzania will be optometrists and eye-glass technicians, led by professor Raymond Dennis, who will operate an eye clinic in the community health center that AFWP helped build in Kibosho.  In addition, the group is planning to ship medical supplies for the health center, as well as bicycles and soccer equipment for the children.  Tickets for the May 1st event are $100. Join Artists for World Peace for an fun night of food, art and music in the Wadsworth Mansion's elegant setting.  For more information or to purchase tickets click here.