Denzel Washington School of the Arts presents Peace Through the Arts

Community members and families of Denzel Washington School of the Arts made their way to the Phylicia Rashad Auditorium at DWSA for a special live performance entitled Peace Through the Arts, with One World Future Ready, a global educational enrichment program connecting students around the world on Saturday, June 22, 2024. 

During this first year partnering with One World Future Ready, DWSA students have had the opportunity to interact with students from China to learn more about each other's cultures. One World Future Ready aims to prepare students for success through character-based, future-ready programs. 

“Our goal is to help K-12 students prepare for the unprecedented opportunities and challenges of our 21st century world,” said Joe Carvin, Founder and Executive Director of One World Future Ready. “We’re thrilled to be working here with Denzel Washington School of the Arts this year! This is our first year here, we’ve already connected their students with students in China.”

Prior to the event, an art gallery with pieces created by students at the school were displayed in the hallways for sale to the public. Many of the art works exhibited different themes from various cultures.

“For this assignment, I liked playing with the colors and different contrasts of the colors,” said Amirah Dawkins, 11th grade student at DWSA going into her senior year this fall. “I’m glad to show my classmates’ work and be able to represent how hard they worked to make their pieces.”

The evening was sponsored by different organizations who hosted tables during the art gallery to share their mission with the community. Some of the sponsors include One World Future Ready, TBS New Direction, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Love Your Food.

After the art gallery, individuals made their way to the auditorium to watch students perform dances from around the world. The show opened up with a word from principal Andrea Thomas, each of the sponsors and the Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, Shawyn Patterson-Howard.

“We want to thank One World Peace for being here and bringing so many sponsors; covering critical areas, not just our world, but our community,” Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said. “We have to understand that world issues are local issues and local issues are world issues.”

 DWSA students showcased a plethora of dances including hip-hop, African and contemporary. The audience was also treated to special video dances from students from around the world including China, Wales, Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador, provided by One World Future Ready.