Testimonials About Huong's Peace Mural at UNF

    “Upon entering the lobby of UNF’s Fine Arts Center, the exhibit warmed my heart and lifted my soul! It says all that art should say.”
    Celia Miller, Jacksonville

    “This is truly awesome, beautiful and thought provoking. I am so glad it is here at UNF!”
    Julie Harbers, UNF Student

    “You made me cry, and that’s a good thing.” William Adams, Atlantic Beach

    “Thanks so much for coming here to UNF! Those lacking imagination cannot imagine what
    is lacking.” David Clapp, UNF Student

    “At first I am overwhelmed … then I start the first step to see individual pieces, each telling a
    story in its unique voice. I continue to see the many small voices for peace in each piece.
    I get disoriented and need to step back. Looking at your work from a higher collective view, I
    hear the voices for peace among the noise of war, suffering and pain …. cutting through our
    reality, and calling us for change in the world.  I am a better person in seeing your work here.
    Thank you.” Vanessa Pagan, Gainesville

    “We need more of this caliber of art here in Jacksonville!” Christine Beoudrin, Jacksonville

    “I love the message, the colors, and everything about the Mural!” Brianna Scott, UNF Student

    “I am greatly inspired, as an artist, a child of God, and lover of peace. Literature and art have awakened many to the fact that the
    individual still counts, and never to give up the hope for a peaceful world.” Rosemary O’Malley, Jacksonville

    “Beautiful … moving … alive! We need more art and we need more artists. We need art to achieve peace.”
    April Hutchinson-Green, Jacksonville

    “You have expressed my feelings in ways I have never been able to.” David Parker, Jacksonville

    “Creative, innovative, provocative!” Reginald Dawson, Jacksonville

    “This is fabulous and so important. The impact of decisions to promote war and violence must see the light of day. When
    perpetrators can hide behind closed doors, the public can permit itself to burn a blind eye. This exhibit obligates the viewer to make
    a choice to act and be part of the solution or not act and be part of the problem. Those leaders who want to promote war should be
    obligated to fight them. It is child abuse to send 18 year olds to war. Generations of children are destroyed by participation in war or
    by being the innocent bystanders who observe the death and destruction. Wars should only be fought by people over 50. Peace will
    quickly follow. Milanie Hatfield, Jacksonville

    “It’s a very powerful exhibit, evocative of a variety of emotions. Sadness, outrage,
    motivation to work for peace are all evoked. I like the use of lots of red, white, and blue
    because for me, it positively connects peace and patriotism. I also like all the different
    visions of doves. The doves that appear to be bleeding make me very sad, but also
    outraged.  I think back to Bush’s ridiculous “Mission Accomplished” banner and it makes
    me thing we can’t stop working for peace till peace becomes  a “Mission Accomplished.”
    I also think the world would move toward peace if more women were in charge because
    women would be less likely to send other people’s sons to be killed. In addition, I’d like
    to see the progress of justice, so that all people would have adequate jobs and
    resources’ then, maybe, the military would be less attractive to young people and poor
    people as a career.” Julie Unger, Littleton, Co

    “Your exhibit sparked a flame of inspiration in me. I have been utterly impressed with the artwork itself, and moved with compassion
    through the message. Stay strong in your gift. You have not only informed, but inspired so many!” Maria Perry, Jacksonville

    “Moving and powerful, it makes the insanity of conflict so clear.” Elizabeth Copeland, Jacksonville

    “Fantastic textures in the artwork. This body of work represents an obsession with the noblest of causes. Thank you so much for
    bringing the Peace Mural to UNF! I was awed” Erica Laird, UNF Student

    “For the young people in the world, I pledge that we would not inherit the wars, carnage and tribulations of this world from our
    ancestors and that we would not borrow the peace and love of its future from our children and those yet unborn. James-Emmanuel
    Wanki, (participant in UNF Symposium on Conflict Transformation during Peace Awareness Week, University of Limerick, Ireland;)

    “I absolutely loved it! It made me feel very privileged. I especially like the part that
    has peace in all the different languages, and that the thought is universal. I will
    never forget the look in the eyes of the child soldiers.”
    Marie-Clair Levy, Jacksonville

    “This exhibit shows the horror of war in ways that that we often don’t think about
    because these things aren’t happening in the US.” Adeeba Spann, Jacksonville

    “Its wonderful. The thoughts about peace and pictures match perfectly. I believe
    that this exhibit will give lessons to many who need it and help the world into
    spreading peace. With peace our lives will be better and there will be no violence
    at all. Everyoneshould be happy and enjoy their lives with no fear.”
    Mary Chen, Jacksonville

    “Its wonderful, enormous in magnitude, message, and beauty! Peace comes from within. We must live it out and express it in every
    moment and with each person we encounter. We must have contagious attitudes of peace.” Ben Blackshear, Ponte Vedra Beach

    “”The combination of quotes, pictures, and words all convey an idea of peace for the world that is truly inspiring. The future for
    peace is in the children. They are the ones who need to be educated on how to live peacefully.” Katie Steward, Jacksonville

    “This was a very eye-opening experience for me. It really makes you stop to think about everything going on in the world and what
    you can do about it.” Shannon Novakoski, Ponte Vedra Beach

    “Peace is much more than an absence of violence. It is the ability of people to work, communicate
    and join together, to all steer the boat in the same direction.” Henry Thomas, UNF Faculty

    “I love that the Mural is so participatory, as peace will require action from all of us.” Leah Donelan,
    Jacksonville

    “War doesn’t show who’s better off, only who’s left.” Jenna Thompson, UNF Student

    “We must heal this world by any means necessary.” Paula Neimeyer, UNF Faculty

    “Your artwork is a wonderful way for us to build community in solidarity with peacemaking. Thank you
    very much for the beautiful way you help express the need for peace and our collective efforts for it.”
    Candice Carter, UNF Faculty

    “What beautiful and powerful work to wake up to! Thank you, Huong, for speaking truth your art. The
    truth cold not be displayed and more obviously for people to absorb it. Thou shalt love your
    neighbor as thyself!” Ashley Greene, UNF Student

    “Your art has great power. It is a conversation about the most important thing I the world -- peace. The children cannot grow and
    learn and thrive where there is hatred and chaos and violence. Peace begins in the heart, in relationships in families and in
    communities. Thank you for your education for peace work. It is what the Christ has taught us to do.”
    Kathleen Underwood, Jacksonville
September 30 - October 6, 2007