History of Cities of Peace in Ellen Frank’s words

I founded EFIAF and Cities of Peace Illuminated in particular in 2004/5 to build a global culture of peace and understanding through the power of the visual arts. We were a pioneer at the time, among the first organizations to combine art and social justice. 

Cities of Peace Illuminated is a change agent, using art as a driver of peaceful coexistence among former enemies, people from conflict zones, children of parents who murdered each other, and marginalized populations, even those having no language in common. We build transformative change through peacebuilding and human rights education, cultural diplomacy, interdisciplinary inquiry all of which we do while we are creating museum quality monumental gold-illuminated paintings. Beauty, participatory collaborative arts engagement and creativity becomes doorways to peace.

I presented in 9 countries at international conferences, from Istanbul to Belfast, including to the EU in Norway. 

From 2015 we worked physically in Armenia, Kosovo and Poland. We had English speaking museum directors and hosts and my arts assistants from other countries whom I had trained spoke English. We had translators present during all projects. I combined formal lectures throughout each city and/or country, semi-formal talks and presentations during our creative work and informal “circle” meetings. Visitors from national and international organizations came to the studios, including radio, tv, museums, governmental departments, members of Parliament, UN, even the President of Kosovo, former PM in Armenia plus US and other Embassies and Ambassadors.  

From 2004/5 - 2015 all work was created in my little studio in Springs, East Hampton, NY. In the first 3 months we had interns from 17 countries! This grew and grew until we had 75 applicants in one day; that changed the selection process. At first people stayed with us, slept on couches and the floor, we all shared one bathroom, there was passion no matter where we were, young artists eager to work on museum quality work, actually desperate to be working for peace, happy that works had guaranteed exhibitions. People clamored to join us, even in other countries we created such love and joy people couldn’t “stay away”! 

In Springs we later needed to find accommodations in nearby homes; we provided food, shelter (usually donated), and very small stipends. The NYTimes described me as artistic director, mentor and “mother hen.” Self-esteem flourished, friendships were built, leadership skills grew, pride and dignity were restored. 

Abroad, I accepted everyone, never saying “no.” Outside organizations assisted in busing displaced persons to the studio. 

We had more than 300 direct participants in Kosovo. In Poland we had 2 studios, one in the Museum in which all museum visitors from all over the world —30+ countries — placed gold-leaf marks on the paintings. 

Everywhere there was the thrill of participating, joy in learning, personal reward for making a difference in our world.  

Scholars from around the world participated via phone, Skype, email and Zoom.