Spread peace around like seeds
A vision for reflecting peace through urban development, community, art, and life along Edgewood
Peace Flowers
Cherokee Rose
State Flower of Georgia
White rose in general — Love, purity, innocence, loyalty, peace, unity, youthfulness, new beginnings. In remembrance of the ‘Trail of Tears.’
Peace Lily
Peace flower of The Americas
Peace, innocence, purity, hope, prosperity, healing, tranquility.
Peace Lily (South Africa)
Peace flower of Africa
Peace, innocence, purity, hope, prosperity, healing, tranquility.
Lotus
Peace flower of Asia
Rebirth, purity, strength, resilience, beauty, divinity, peace, compassion, harmony.
Cosmos
Peace flower of The Americas
Calmness, silence, serenity, purity, healing, grace.
Magnolia
Peace flower of The Americas
Purity, dignity, serenity.
WHAT is Spread peace around like seeds?
Spread peace around like seeds is the working title for the Edgewood Avenue peace project, community renewal through seeding urban life with positive perspectives connected to our history. The main objective of this project is to create an uplifting and welcoming flow of flora, art, participatory activities, and the message of peace, extending from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center into the Edgewood Avenue district. Emphasizing beauty, simple elegance, and the power of the message of peace, this project will situate Edgewood Avenue as a place of peace in which its local history connects with histories of, and hopes for, peace from around the world through life and creativity.
HOW is Spread peace around like seeds implemented?
Cityscape Beautification
The inaugural activity for Spread peace around like seeds is the activation of the Jackson Place thoroughfare which borders The King Center and the Edgewood Avenue corridor through the beautification of a Peace Garden, based on flowers that represent peace from all over the world. Viable varieties are selected for outdoor life, and local businesses are offered indoor varieties such as the famed Peace Lilies from the Americas and Africa for their shops and windows. The peace flowers are supplemented by supportive flora that emphasize lush greenery and year-round energizing color. The repetition of way-finding plant-based and architectural iconography helps to attract and guide the public through the area.
Artworks Focused on Peace
Art is one of the most important creative knowledge and message-making tools that is unique to being human. The near-future phase of Spread peace around like seeds includes development and message-building through the commissioning of permanent public artworks around the theme of peace, as well as art exhibitions, fairs, and public events.
Participatory Activities
Spread peace around like seeds seeks to attract, inform, and engage the public. One example includes the future integration of QR codes that link the peace flowers to peace-related stories from around the world, housed on the Spread peace around like seeds website (peacefloweratl.org). The website will also offer information about the artworks, as well as community activities and events created to engage the public year-round.
Local Businesses
Community is a collaborative effort. Local businesses will be invited to support, participate, and attract visitors through simple efforts such as the visible presence of indoor peace plants, the selling of peace flower seeds, etc.
Children Are the Future
Spread peace around like seeds generates community and learning with a focus on children in the form of activities such as yearly seeding of peace flowers to school learning trips.
WHY is the Spread peace around like seeds project important?
The legacy of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. attracts thousands of visitors each month to celebrate, honor, and spread the message of love and peace. Spread peace around like seeds invites the visiting public and local communities to feel invited, safe, and inspired to extend their celebration of peace into the greater neighborhood. The Sweet Auburn history extends beyond the King Center and Spread peace around like seeds illuminates the disconnected elements so they are not overlooked. Spread peace around like seeds extends the message of peace through beauty, art, knowledge, and participation such that each visitor will take a little bit of peace home with them to spread around and grow like seeds.
Each visitor will take a little bit of peace home with them to spread around and grow like seeds.
Jackson Place Peace Garden
Above: Conceptual illustration of Jackson Place Peace Garden as viewed from Jackson Street, looking East
Above: Landscaping plan for Jackson Place Peace Garden
Peace Flowers and Supporting Flora
The Location
