Four years later, I’m still synthesizing the answer with The Gen Z Time Capsule, a global online participatory project that I recently launched in collaboration with the Learning and Public Engagement department at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Like with any great journey or pursuit of an answer, it’s not only about the destination; the real magic happens along the winding branches on your way there.

Walking into that freshman seminar course, I thought we were still in the Land of Millennials. I was unaware that we had only moments earlier crossed a new threshold on campus.

When I playfully referred to my students as Millennials, they corrected me: ‘We’re Gen Z!’ An unchartered universe suddenly expanded in front of me. I would spend the next several months beginning to decipher this heuristic new tide. And I haven’t stopped since.”

To read the full essay, please click HERE.

The post My “Harvard Ed. Magazine” Essay: “The Magnum Opus of Gen Z” first appeared on John Schlimm.

In honor of this project, The Warhol launched Gen-Z Time Capsule, an effort calling on young people born between 1997-2012 to submit photos of objects they believe best represent their generation’s experience. The Gen-Z Time Capsule will become an online exhibition and publication featuring submissions from people all over the world, including in the Pittsburgh region.

“Hopefully this digital archive will tell a comprehensive story about the objects, activities, places, and people that are most important to Generation Z,” says Nicole Dezelon, associate director of learning at The Warhol.”

To read the full article, please click HERE.

The post Pittsburgh City Paper: “The Andy Warhol Museum showcases young voices with Gen-Z Time Capsule project” first appeared on John Schlimm.

A Participatory Project Created By YOU!

Edited By John Schlimm, in partnership with Familius

YAY!

. . . and our hearts, breath, and prayer became one . . .

Be the “YES” person!

To have the power to know you’re special

while humble enough not to use power.

Be the “special” in someone’s life.

AWAKEN!

Perhaps God has pushed the reset button

to remind us of what’s important.

Not money, power, or material things, but each other.

Of our many blessings even in dark times,

I’m thankful for technology to help keep us together

while we need to be apart.

SMILE,

it makes the world a brighter place!

We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to be.

Silver lining of life becoming simple, unfrazzled.

MEOW!

Love all.

Serve all.

. . . to be a redeeming presence in the world.

COMFORT!

Love, unity, community.

Sometimes the person you don’t want to talk to

is the very person you need to talk to.

She embraced the suffering world with open arms.

Enduring pain and hardships together

will bind us with love for the rest of our lives.

We work to liberate love.

Que sera, sera.

What will be, will be.

You got this!

BREATHE:

slow;

focus;

exist;

be present.

Feeling my way in the darkness

Pinpricks of light

Squinting, I glimpsed God.

VULNERABILITY!

. . . be in tune

with thoughts, emotions, wants, needs.

Be a better you

and there will be no end to what we can do.

Be good, do good.

GRATITUDE!

I look up at the stars.

I give thanks to God for putting them there,

and for keeping my family, my community,

my self safe another day.

I draw in deep breaths of air

and am thankful that I can.

CREATION!

The world created in the still and silence

will again be vibrant and full of color.

At the sunlit eaves of my rib-cage

clouds morph

in their urgent, timeless instruction

to be here now, and now, and now again.

Life finds a way

in the in-between times.

CONNECTION!

One day, we will all be stardust.

Do unto others

as you would have them

do unto you.

Luke 6:31.

We are equals.

Good humans connected

in a new, different way,

seeking solutions and working together

to keep our loved ones and neighbors

safe.

The titles that matter most

are not related to our jobs:

Mom

Dad

Sister

Brother

Daughter

Son

Aunt

Uncle

Grandmother

Grandfather

Friend.

LIGHT!

“A single sunbeam is enough

to drive away many shadows.”

Saint Francis of Assisi.

TIME

The earth groaned.

A Voice resounded.

We sifted

together

from crevice to crevice.

Hope is alive in every new morning.

COMPASSION!

Always available, not always present.

When we are divided, it doesn’t exist at all.

But in times of trouble, shield your eyes,

look to the horizon.

For compassion is riding in.

Compassion drives out division.

Humanity wins.

NATURE!

I sat and opened my senses

to the cleansing gifts

that nature is always willing to bestow.

Winds wending through tree branches, beguiling.

Cardinal’s distinctive songs.

Sunlight warmly stroking my skin.

Tension evaporated, replaced by gratitude.

A grateful, natural prayer

to what always awaits me.

KINDERGARTEN!

Five and six year olds:

“I’m sad . . .”

“I’m happy . . .”

“I’m mad . . .”

“I’m hungry.”

What is one word you would say to the world?

“Healthy.”

“No.”

“Love.”

“Happy.”

What brings you joy?

“Talking to teachers everyday!”

“Toys!”

“Mario and Luigi!”

“Therapy!”

F-R-I-E-N-D-S!

Amazing

Loving

Loyal

Incredible

Encouraging

I’ll be there for you!

NOW!

Go inward, cocoon, discover.

Break free of old

and fly

to your wondrous NOW!

DARKNESS

The darkness always promises

the brightest light.

When life gets scary and hard,

choose to be a ray of light.

PAUSE . . .

PRIORITIZE . . .

EMPATHY:

a blessing, a curse, feeling every hope and fear

vulnerable, but grateful

worried, but faithful

a spinning wheel of emotion

we are human

we are love

we are strong

together.

FAMILY!

Family is . . . connection, time, and balance.

Family is . . . laughter, tears, and joy.

Family is . . . humility, grace, and courage.

Family is . . . giving, receiving, and sharing.

Family is . . . truth, transparency, and respect.

Family is . . . the power of unconditional love.

STORMS!

I can’t stop the rain

nor the storm clouds

but

I

can

adjust

my focus.

Together is better.

I can stop the tears

and see beauty in the storms

as

I

breathe

hope

to the world.

RESTLESS SOUL

Mercy, Compassion, and Presence

from above

calm our restless soul

and fill our heart

with Love and Hope.

JOYS!

We can still greet the simplest of joys,

lying on a patch of green,

watching the clouds cavort . . .

Join hands whoever you may be.

We are all of this world you see.

AMEN!

FORGIVENESS?

A learned art

of letting go,

of loving . . .

of listening,

of looking back in step

with moving forward, of healing,

humility.

About “A Family Poem for the World”:

Amidst the early months of the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, Familius and John Schlimm launched the participatory poem-writing project A FAMILY POEM FOR THE WORLD.

John’s understanding of the power that creating (and creating TOGETHER) can have in bringing people together and lifting them up parallels Familius’s mission to help families be happy.

Familius founder and CEO Christopher Robbins says, “My first introduction to poetry was through my grandfather, who used poetry to communicate important life lessons to me. Poetry has the ability to distill into the most succinct and beautiful language lessons, thoughts, and emotions that connect us to what is most important.”

People from across the country and world submitted words, phrases, and single sentences to Familius on social media using #FamilyPoemfortheWorld, which John compiled and edited into A FAMILY POEM FOR THE WORLD.

John Schlimm and Familius are also happy to offer a discussion guide for families, educators, and remote learners to accompany A FAMILY POEM FOR THE WORLD, available upon request (kfarrell@familius.com).

The post “A Family Poem for the World”: A Participatory Poem-Writing Project first appeared on John Schlimm.

Simply put, being a grassroots advocate means that we—no matter who we are or where we are—have each other’s back, in good times and in bad. . . .”

To read the full essay, please click HERE.

The post My PA Humanities Council Essay: “Each One of Us is a Grassroots Advocate” first appeared on John Schlimm.

Schlimm, who is a Harvard-trained educator, artist, author and advocate, started the “5 Day PEACE Challenge” and “SMILE & WAVE,” encouraging people to share photos taking part in positive initiatives.

Schlimm said he knew that as soon as the coronavirus pandemic began escalating, it would have a great mental health impact on the public. As people become more isolated at home, they may be looking for feel-good activities, he said.

“Tapping into the unlimited potential of art and words to positively impact the world, both here and at home and for a broader audience, has always been very important to me,” he said.

To continue reading, please click HERE.

The post The Courier-Express: “Schlimm spreads positivity through participatory art projects, social media” first appeared on John Schlimm.

5 Day PEACE Challenge

#5dayPEACEchallenge

a participatory art project

by

@JohnSchlimm

________________________________________________________________________________

Each one of us has the unique ability to spread PEACE in this world.

Through even the simplest acts of kindness, such as a smile, helping others, and embracing a positive mindset, we can plant seeds of PEACE.

For the “5 Day PEACE Challenge“, I invite you to:

1. Print the 5 letters of PEACE below, or create your own.
2. Find a special place: in your yard, your town, or wherever else you are.
3. Dig a hole and plant one letter a day for 5 days.
4. Then watch PEACE grow.

If for any reason you are unable to leave your home, you can still enjoy the “5 Day PEACE Challenge” by planting the letters around the inside of your home: beneath the pillows on your bed, couch, or a chair; under a carpet; inside a cupboard, closet, or drawer; on a windowsill; behind a photo or painting on the wall; in a vase or other container; using a houseplant; or simply somewhere else in the rooms of your home.

Please also share your photos of planting the letters on social media, using the hashtag #5dayPEACEchallenge and tag me @JohnSchlimm.

Together, we can INSPIRE many beautiful ripples of PEACE across the world!

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

My #5dayPEACEchallenge . . .

***Can’t wait to see YOURS!!!***

DAY 1: March 15, 2020

DAY 2: March 16, 2020

DAY 3: March 17, 2020

DAY 4: March 18, 2020

DAY 5: March 19, 2020

The post 5 Day PEACE Challenge first appeared on John Schlimm.

a participatory art project

by

John Schlimm

INSTRUCTION:

Below are the 5 letters of PEACE.

Print out one or more letters.

In a secret place only you know, dig a hole and plant the letter(s).

Watch PEACE grow.

______________________________________________

Please also join me and the rest of the world in the “5 Day PEACE Challenge”!

More information is on my website HERE.

Many Thanks! ~ John

______________________________________________

The post Planting PEACE: A Participatory Art Project first appeared on John Schlimm.

Contact:

John Busbee

The Culture Buzz

johntaylorbusbee@gmail.com

515-707-1532

_________________________________________________________________________________

The Culture Buzz

Launches “Importing Ideas & Inspiration” Initiative By Naming

Award-winning Author, Artist, Educator, and Advocate John Schlimm

as its First Visiting Cultural Exchange Ambassador

and Cultural Catalyst for Iowa

____________________________________

Upcoming Visit to Des Moines and Dubuque: March 6 – 15

_________________________________________________________________________________

Des Moines, IA ~ Iowa’s leading cultural advocacy network The Culture Buzz is proud to announce that it has named international award-winning author, artist, educator, and advocate John Schlimm as its first Visiting Cultural Exchange Ambassador and Cultural Catalyst for Iowa. This appointment launches The Culture Buzz’s initiative “Importing Ideas & Inspiration” during John’s first of many upcoming visits to Iowa from March 6 to March 15 to the Des Moines and Dubuque areas.

In this role, John will bring his 25 years of multi-tiered, culture-based experience as the author of 20 books ranging in topics and genres; his work as a Participatory Art creator of such projects as THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours); his achievements as a Harvard-trained educator and university professor; his background in public relations, business, and hospitality, including as a member of one of the country’s oldest and most historic brewing families (Straub Brewery, founded by his great-great-grandfather in the 1870s); and his unbridled passion for advocacy efforts that span the Arts and Humanities, mental health and wellness, education and students/Gen Z, anti-abuse, rescue dogs, volunteerism, and much more.

“A quintessential culture leader and role model, John’s inspiring work in helping all people to embrace their best and happiest lives will be utilized to further establish productive partnerships within our state, and to shine a bright light on the amazing spectrum of cultural work being done by Iowans at every level, from grassroots upward,” Culture Buzz Founder John Busbee said. “From exchanging ideas to harnessing creative synergy, this fun guy from Pennsylvania is about to become Iowa’s new best friend and cheerleader!”

To kick-off his new role as Visiting Cultural Exchange Ambassador and Cultural Catalyst, John will road-trip the 14-hour drive from his small hometown of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, to Iowa in March for a series of events in the Des Moines and Dubuque areas. This visit will highlight the broad scope of what he and The Culture Buzz hope to eventually accomplish statewide through this ambitious initiative to help facilitate and celebrate the ever-expanding range of cultural endeavors happening everywhere in Iowa.

In Des Moines, John’s events will include:

• Friday, March 6, _5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Installation of John’s Participatory Art piece THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours) at the region’s premier open house First Friday at Mainframe Studios (900 Keo Way, Des Moines);
• Saturday, March 7, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Whiskey-tasting fundraiser at The Iowa Taproom (215 E. 3^rd Street, Des Moines), benefitting the Puppy Jake Foundation;
• Monday, March 9: Roundtable discussion about mental health and wellness with the team at NAMI Iowa;
• Monday, March 9, 6:30 p.m.: Extraordinary Dogs Q&A and booksigning at Beaverdale Books (2629 Beaver Avenue, Suite 1, Des Moines);
• Tuesday, March 10: Roundtable discussion with students at Drake University to discuss the issues facing Generation Z; and
• Wednesday, March 11: Launch of John’s Participatory Art project titled City of Change with the youth artists at ArtForce Iowa.

In Dubuque, John’s events will include:

• Thursday, March 12, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Extraordinary Dogs Discussion and booksigning at Loras College (Loras College Ballroom, 1450 Alta Vista, Dubuque);
• Friday, March 13, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.: “Healing Through Animals” Presentation at Canticle of Creation Center (3390 Windsor Avenue, Dubuque);
• Friday, March 13: Roundtable discussion with Psychology students at Loras College; and
• Saturday, March 14, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.: “Dog (God) Moments That Heal” Presentation and debut of John’s Participatory Art project Planting PEACE at Canticle of Creation Center (3390 Windsor Avenue, Dubuque).

“I believe in meeting people where they are and helping them to rise from there to achieve their greatest potential,” John Schlimm said. “Iowa is the very heart and soul of the great American Heartland, and in this new role I look forward to being the state’s #1 fan while letting the rest of the country and world come along for the ride! The inspiring and impactful pulse that ripples from every corner of this very special place and the folks who live here remind me so much of my own hometown. The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to bring us all closer, so we can then rise together.”

###

_________________________________________________________________________________

Contacts:

For more information about John’s Des Moines visit, please contact John Busbee at The Culture Buzz at johntaylorbusbee@gmail.com or 515-707-1532.

For more information about John’s Dubuque visit, please contact Mary Potter Kenyon at Shalom Spirituality Center at mkenyon@shalomretreats.org.

For more information about John Schlimm and his projects, please see the attached biography or visit www.JohnSchlimm.com.

_________________________________________________________________________________

About The Culture Buzz

The Culture Buzz is Iowa’s gateway to theatre, arts, literature, culture, history, and entertainment. The cultural network for creative exploration, the organization inspires individuals statewide to indulge their imagination, and enhance their life.

Since 2007, The Culture Buzz has been producing its weekly, two-hour short interview format radio show in Central Iowa and streaming globally each Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. Host/producer John Busbee, the 2014 Iowa Governor’s Arts Award for Collaboration & Partnership in the Arts recipient, leverages more than 40 years of Arts practice, advocacy, and promotion to make the Greater Des Moines area his primary market, while also serving a global audience seeking news about an eclectic array of literary guests.

About John Schlimm

John Schlimm is a Harvard-trained educator, artist, advocate, and international award-winning author of 20 books.

His newest book is EXTRAORDINARY DOGS: Stories from Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes. John’s other books include the Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions; Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit; Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!; and a series of plant-based cookbooks, including The Tipsy Vegan, Grilling Vegan Style, The Cheesy Vegan, and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Happy Hour. John’s first children’s book, The Star Jumped Over the Moon, will be released in 2021.

A professor in the Division of Communication and the Arts at University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, John has also traveled the country speaking about inspirational/motivational topics, his artwork, Generation Z, cooking and entertaining, and public relations, including his university commencement address titled “The Road to YES is Paved with Many NOs” and his “Embrace Compassion, Change the World” keynote address on Capitol Hill. He has appeared on such national media outlets as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, NPR, Martha Stewart Living’s Everyday Food, The Splendid Table, QVC, EWTN’s The World Over, and Fox & Friends.

John’s essays and other writings have been widely published, including at The Huffington Post and as an “Architect of Change” for MariaShriver.com.

John is also the creator of the Participatory Art pieces Planting COMPASSION; A Garden of Kindness coloring book; The Garden of Gratitude; and My America Is…, as well as THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours), which has been installed across the country, including at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, following debut installations in Canada and Washington, D.C.

Follow John on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/JohnSchlimm); Twitter (@JohnSchlimm); Instagram (@JohnSchlimm); Snapchat (@JohnSchlimm) and LinkedIn (@JohnSchlimm). For more information, please visit www.JohnSchlimm.com.

The post PRESS RELEASE: “John Schlimm Named Cultural Exchange Ambassador” first appeared on John Schlimm.

On January 28, 2020, I debuted a new Participatory Art project titled A Garden of Kindness with the help of my fellow artist Paige Tarpey, who designed the cover, and Fourth Grade students at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

For this particular version of A Garden of Kindness, which took the form of a coloring book, we started with an introductory discussion about what would be in a Garden of Kindness. Students named flowers, trees, weeds, birds, bugs, animals, streams and ponds, sunshine and clouds, and people, as well as words: love, hope, peace, kindness, compassion, dependability, trust, friends, awe, fun, and others.

Each student was then given one sheet of white, 8 1/2″ x 11″ typing paper and a black, fine point Sharpie marker. A timer was set for two minutes during which the students were asked to draw one thing in the garden. Then, they passed the papers to their right and the activity was repeated, until every student in the class had drawn at least one thing on each page.

The pages, along with the cover that each student signed as co-artists of the project, were then assembled and photocopied/stapled together, creating the finished A Garden of Kindness coloring book.

Each student was given A Garden of Kindness coloring book, and the class then gave copies to other students in the school.

The goal of A Garden of Kindness project is to remind the participants and viewers that through even the simplest acts of kindness we can each change the world, and how ultimately we are all interconnected.

#BeKind

The post “A Garden of Kindness” Participatory Art Project By John Schlimm first appeared on John Schlimm.

On January 29, 2020, my 18-foot long, Participatory Art piece titled THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours) was installed at Newtown High School as part of the school’s Fresh Check Day mental health initiative in partnership with the Jordan Porco Foundation.

For the installation, hundreds of students chose their favorite colors and then added their bright, inspiring smiles and other details to the faces on the canvas. THE SMILE is currently exhibited in the high school.

The purpose of THE SMILE installation is to visually remind the participants and viewers how they each make a difference in this world through even the simplest acts of kindness, and how ultimately we are all interconnected.

Launched in 2014, THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours) has been installed around the country and in Canada, including at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

THE SMILE piece will be installed and repeated in several upcoming cities and events, and eventually all the canvases will one day be sewn together in an installation to form MILES OF OUR SMILES ACROSS THE WORLD.

The post THE SMILE Installation at Newtown High School first appeared on John Schlimm.