International Artists Unite for Peace through ​The “Colours of Collaboration” Art ExhibitioN

Imagine a world where people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds can come ​together and celebrate their differences through art. A world where peace is not just a dream, ​but a reality. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, not for the 51 artists who are participating ​in the Colours of Collaboration art exhibition, a global initiative that aims to promote peace and ​harmony through artistic expression. In this article, we will tell you more about this amazing ​project, how it started, who is behind it, and where you can see it for yourself.

The Story behind colours of collaboration

The Colours of Collaboration art exhibition is the brainchild of artist and curator Marie Moldovan, who founded the ​initiative with the dream of demonstrating that peace is possible through collaboration. Marie is a Canadian Forces ​veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and various other invisible wounds, ​which affect their mental health and well-being. They decided to use their artistic talent and passion to create a ​platform for artists from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to express themselves and share their ​visions of peace.

Marie reached out to their friend and fellow veteran Joe Mykut, who served in the United States Naval-Corp and ​asked them to join in on the initiative. For Marie, interacting with Joe is a form of self-guided exposure therapy . ​Joe is an avid photographer, writer and artist, who also found art to be a therapeutic and creative outlet. Together, ​they launched the Colours of Collaboration project, inviting artists from all over the world to join them in in their ​initiative. They received an overwhelming response, with 51 artists from many different countries agreeing to ​participate in the project. The artists include painters, sculptors, photographers, digital artists, poets and more, ​who have diverse styles and techniques. Some of the artists are also veterans, refugees, survivors of abuse, or ​activists, who have personal stories and experiences related to peace and conflict.

the artists and their work

The Colours of Collaboration art exhibition features the works of 51 artists, who have created stunning and meaningful ​artworks that showcase their various styles and offer the world hope. The artworks range from realistic to abstract, from ​colorful to monochrome, from traditional to modern, and from simple to complex. Each artwork has a unique story and message ​behind it. Some of the artworks are inspired by the artists’ personal experiences, such as war, trauma, migration, or ​oppression. Some of the artworks are influenced by the artists’ cultural backgrounds, such as their religion, language, or ​heritage. Some of the artworks are motivated by the artists’ aspirations, such as justice, freedom, or harmony. Some of the ​artworks are simply expressions of the artists’ emotions, such as joy, sadness, or anger. Some of the art is inspired by the ​artists' passions.

The artists featured in this exhibition are:

Marie Moldovan, Pita Black, Samantha Moldovan, Joe Mykut, Amnesia Burmingham, Wingnut, Gayeann Collins, Alycia Hodge, ​Rati Banga Pala, Marten Hoyle, Anika Vaughn Raine, Sasha Q, Mary Grace Gonzales, Geraldine O’Dowd, Max Myers, Swapna ​Mukherjee, L.A.D., Shannon Mitchell, Michael Reinhart, Jang Guin Lim, Mary Katharine Christodoulou, Tamerat Siltan, Keith ​Suddrey, Esther Marcella Hoffmann, Carol Rabinovitch, Josh Poole, Chandra Sekararn, Michael Lees, Broken villages, Roya ​Moradkhani, Irena Paskali, Thomas Halloran, Lucas Alan Dietsche, Binod Dawadi, Vincent C. Ven, Markus Bean, Jayshree ​Parmar, Sarah Marie Salinas, Mohamed Ouedraogo, Bretta Perry, Auyile Mswetero, Lyla Hodge, Teflon Boundries, Carmen ​Chenier, Robert Myers, Michael Falls, Gustavo Andriewski, Emma Hilson-Gregory, Anila Bukhari and Thelma Van Rensburg.

The Venues and dates of the exhibition

The Colours of Collaboration art exhibition will be held in three venues in Ontario, Canada, where you ​can see the artworks in person and meet some of the artists and organizers. The venues and dates are ​as follows:

Royal Canadian Legion BR. 293 in Larder Lake: February 1-3, 2024

The Stope in Kirkland Lake: February 10 and 11, 2024

Royal Canadian Legion BR. 384 in Virginatown: February 25 and 26, 2024

The exhibition is free and open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend (donations are ​welcome). The exhibition is made possible by the generosity of the KLMG and the Royal Canadian ​Legion, who donated the space for the exhibitions, and Shattered Psyche (Marie Moldovan), who is ​funding the event.

The Impact and benifits of the project

The Colours of Collaboration art exhibition is more than just a display of beautiful artworks. It is a ​testament to the power art has to bring people together and foster peace and understanding. It is also a ​tribute to the vision and courage of the two veterans who started this project and the 49 artists who ​joined them.

The project has several benefits and impacts, such as:

Promoting peace and harmony: The project aims to spread the message of peace and harmony to the ​world, and to inspire people to see the beauty and diversity of humanity. The project also hopes to raise ​awareness and support for the causes and issues that the artists care about, such as human rights, ​social justice, environmental protection, and more.

Supporting mental health and well-being: The project provides a platform for the artists to express ​themselves and share their stories and emotions, which can help them cope with their mental health and ​well-being. The project also offers a sense of community and belonging for the artists, who can connect ​and collaborate with each other and with the audience. The project also encourages the audience to ​engage with the artworks and reflect on their own feelings and thoughts, which can improve their ​mental health and well-being as well.

Celebrating art and culture: The project showcases the talent and creativity of the artists, who have ​diverse styles and techniques. The project also celebrates the culture and heritage of the artists, who ​have different backgrounds and experiences. The project also educates the audience about the art and ​culture of the artists, who have unique perspectives and insights.

Conclusion :

The Colours of Collaboration art exhibition is a remarkable and inspiring project that demonstrates how ​art can be a powerful tool for communication and connection. The project is a result of the collaboration ​and passion of two veterans and 46 artists, who have joined forces to create artworks that reflect their ​visions of peace. The project is also an opportunity for the audience to see the artworks in person and to ​interact with the artists and organizers. If you are interested in seeing this exhibition for yourself, you ​can visit one of the three venues in Ontario, Canada, where it will be held in February 2024. Thank you!

News and Media

ABOUT MARIE DAWN MOLDOVAN

Marie Moldovan, Saskatchewan’s snow queen and Ontario’s part-time ​dandelion, is a diploma-collecting, art-slinging force of nature. A Canadian ​Forces medic turned master of the canvas; her life unfolds like a vibrant comic ​strip. With a paintbrush as her sword, she combats PTSD, emerging as the ​Picasso of the Prairies. Her acclaimed collection, “20 Years of Winter,” is more ​than art; it’s a spirited snowball fight against victim shaming, hurling hues of ​defiance. Recently, Marie’s brilliance was recognized when she won the People’s ​Choice Award at the Larder Lake, Kirkland Lake, and Virginiatown “Colours of ​Collaboration” Art Exhibitions.

Marie’s work and story have been featured in various news articles, highlighting ​her journey and impact. Her exhibition “The Colours of Collaboration” has been ​touring Northern Ontario, resonating with many for its powerful message and ​the personal triumphs it represents. This tour and her award-winning pieces ​have solidified her reputation as a significant figure in the Canadian art scene.

ABOUT jOSEPH mYKUT

Joseph Mykut is an accomplished author and artist, originally from Jasper, Alabama. ​He is renowned for his children’s books, Beautiful Boy and There’s a Me Under My ​Bed, as well as his contributions to the anthology collections 3 Amigos Ink and ​Splatter: The Lonely Soul in the Darkness and The Way of the Crow. Mykut writes ​from a place of deep introspection, aiming to illuminate the light and dark within all ​aspects of life and to celebrate the beauty that emerges from this balance. His ​inspiration stems from his life experiences, with a mission to connect individuals ​across diverse walks of life through the universal language of art.

In addition to his literary achievements, Mykut has recently been honored with the ​People’s Choice Award for his art collections at the Colours of Collaboration ​exhibition, showcased in Larder Lake, Kirkland Lake, and Virginiatown. His ​collection, “Insect-I-color,” received top votes, along with Marie Moldovan’s collection ​“20 Years of Winter” and Samantha Moldovan’s collection “Monkey,” at the Larder ​Lake exhibition, further cementing his reputation as a visionary artist whose work ​resonates deeply with the public.

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