Painting for Peace in Ferguson: new children's book sparks conversations with people of all ages

ST. LOUIS - April 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Painting for Peace in Ferguson (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/), a new children’s book has been on the market since February 21, 2015 and is flying off the shelves with the paperbacks already slated for a second printing (1,000 in the first run). The book, written by Ferguson native, Carol Swartout Klein, tells the inspirational story of hundreds of artists and residents of all ages who created colorful artwork depicting images of hope, unity and healing. Painting for Peace in Ferguson focuses on the way the community came together to begin the healing process after months of racial unrest. It shares the basic idea that anyone, at any age has a talent they can contribute to help others even when things seem to be at their worst. With the simplest of tools, a paintbrush, the artists used the plywood put up on broken windows on block after block of boarded up businesses as their canvases. Written in verse, Painting for Peace in Ferguson shows at least 140 images of art and mentions more than 300 artists and volunteers who participated in the Paint for Peace St. Louis effort. The art ranges from simple childlike images to sophisticated and compelling works done by nationally recognized artists.

This book captures an authentic moment when something appeared on the streets of Ferguson that had been in short supply for months — hope.

The book continues to receive positive coverage (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/#!media/c1oku) and reviews (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/#!reviews/c1l11) from local media as well as business owners, school teachers and those involved with the community. Painting for Peace in Ferguson has also continued to be the best-selling children’s book in the St. Louis region for at least five weeks running.

Nationally, the book has seen success with Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/20/painting-for-peace-fergus_n_6714532.html) and Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-ferguson-mo-hope-and-despair-grapple-for-dominance/2015/03/14/1e9b7670-ca5e-11e4-b2a1-bed1aaea2816_story.html), with the Huffington Post editors asking Klein to pen an occasional blog for its new section Huffington Post: Impact (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-swartout-klein/why-i-believe-in-the-peop_b_6880332.html?1426536318).

It provides a vision and is a gentle way to start conversations about many of the issues behind the unrest and protests in Ferguson. Issues that are real and complex and that exist in cities across the country and that are relevant to everyone across the country. But in order for healing to begin there must be hope and a dream for a better future. The book accomplishes this by showing the transformative impact that happens when people of all races and ages come together for a common cause.

The goal of Painting for Peace in Ferguson is threefold:

- To show children that everyone has tools to help
- To give parents and teachers a way to help start a conversation with children and to give adults an inspirational way to share a moment when a landscape of fear was transformed into messages of hope and healing
- To give back to Ferguson, MO and surrounding communities as all proceeds after printing costs will be donated to youth programs and small businesses

The Painting for Peace in Ferguson website (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/) includes additional resources for parents and teachers to help them talk about the issues raised in Ferguson. It also provides ways the general public can help the Ferguson and Dellwood communities with opportunities for donations, businesses to support and ways to volunteer.

“The real essence of the book is empowerment,” noted Klein, “and that if we all do what we can to make our community a better place, amazing things, like hundreds of pieces of art springing up in a matter of days — which changed the outlook and spirit of an entire town — can be the result.”

Designed by St. Louisans Robert O’Neil and Michael Kilfoy, the book was published locally by Layla Dog Press and printed by Advertisers Printing Company. The book is available at independent St. Louis book retailers (http://www.paintingforpeacebook.com/#!retail-bookstores/cspw) and is also available nationally to order through your local, independent book store or Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Peace-Ferguson-Carol-Swartout/dp/0989867161/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427743109&sr=1-1&keywords=painting+for+peace+in+ferguson). You can also order online at: www.paintingforpeacebook.com. The book retails for $15.95 for the paperback and $25.95 for the hardback.

Klein created the book as a way to give back and help her hometown. Funds from the sale of the book will be deposited with the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations made to that fund above and beyond the price of the book are tax-deductible.


Testimonials from some of the artists on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsLzH4NhBtBPNVY18t-mwcQ)

About Carol Swartout Klein

Carol Swartout Klein grew up in Ferguson, got her first set of jacks from the Ferguson Ben Franklin store (now the Ace hardware store), got her first drivers license at what was the Ferguson Department store (now BMI Fitness), graduated from McCluer High School and got married at Ferguson Presbyterian church. A journalist and marketing professional by training Klein has always wanted to do a children’s book. She saw how healing the actual process of creating the artwork was for all those involved … as the community came together to help others, the artists, business owners and volunteers helped themselves … and created new connections that she hopes will continue to create a positive environment of hope and peace.