I started making my art and peace signs as a way to vent my frustration as a peace activist. I have always used found, forgotten, and recycled materials to produce my art. As a teacher I discovered all the overlooked peacemakers of Maine and as an activist I intensified my passion for peace. With this knowledge and interest it has fueled my creativity and led me to curate this collection.  Through my experience, I have found that our society often focuses on the conflicts and wars in our country and peace does not seem to be on the forefront of our minds. Look at your local libraries, at your schools, at your history books the people who brought peace to conflicts are rarely talked about in comparison to our focus on war and victory. I believe that as Maine goes, so does the Nation. If we do not educate the new generation on the peace we have created in the past, they have nothing to grow off of. I am hoping to highlight the forgotten story of Maine peacemakers and, with that, inspire my fellow Mainers to lead our nation to peace.  There are so many ways to start working for peace. It’s an active process in our community that we can all work towards. Next time you think about even the small conflicts in your community, think about the peace you can bring. When these conflicts arrive, it’s groups like Veterans For Peace, Seeds of Peace, Samantha Smith Foundation, and more that are at the forefront of community based peacemaking in Maine. Ways you can contribute include donating, volunteering, spreading awareness, or even making art of your own. 

Steven Donald West