Port Hope, Ont. (July 30, 2018) In the spirit of hope, unity and peace, Green Wood Coalition is inviting the community to join in folding 1,000 origami cranes at the Port Hope Arts Festival this August 11 at Port Hope Memorial Park.
According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds 1,000 cranes will be granted a wish. And with the crane as the traditional Japanese symbol of hope and healing in challenging times, Green Wood Coalition Community Director David Sheffield says creating a public art installation of 1,000 cranes may be the antidote we all need.
“In spite of what’s going on in the world, we can do something collectively that is empowering for good. We can do something beautiful. We can do something that promotes peace. We can do something optimistic,” he says.
Members of Green Wood Coalition’s Art Hive program have been practising the ancient art of origami under the guidance of Nancy Richardson, who worked in Japan honing her skills. Equipped with more than 1,000 sheets of brightly coloured origami paper in all sizes and patterns, Nancy will lead the art project in the park.
Creating the art installation on August 11– almost 73 years to the day after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – carries an even deeper meaning, says Sheffield. Two cherry trees, given to the town as a symbol of life and “affirming the hope that nuclear power will never again be used for war” stand as a reminder of Port Hope’s industrial role in refining uranium during the Second World War. They, like the cranes, offer a lasting symbol of hope and healing
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
