29 Pieces

29 pieces uses art to awaken, uplift and give voice to the creative human spirit to make genuine, positive social change.

29 pieces (formerly known as today marks the beginning) is about monumental art and monumental change. It is art with a purpose to uplift and heal. The 29 pieces refer to 29 large sculptures, inspired by sacred passages from the worlds faith traditions. Currently these exist as drawings and models made by karen blessen, an accomplished professional artist whose creations grace public spaces like times square in new york city and baylor/deep ellum station in dallas, and whose illustrations resulted in the first pulitzer prize awarded to a graphic artist. Karen is also the program manager for "masterpeace", and, with assistance from many talented artists and educators, developed and implemented an in-school, hands-on program using art to teach about peacemaking and nonviolence. Now in its fourth year, the 14-lesson program has been taught to more than 3,000 dallas students. It has been enthusiastically received by principals, teachers and students. The lessons are facilitated by dancers,