Photos for Peace Project Exceed Expectations

Worldwide Moment Announces Photo Exhibit for International Peace

Nov 14, 2009

During December, The Southeast Gallery of Photographic Art in Vero Beach, Florida, will exhibit Worldwide Moment's 2009 Peace Project: 1300 photos, taken simultaneously.

How can one person help change the world for the better? By enthusiastically getting more people involved in a project that makes a difference. How can violence, hate and war be stopped? By enlisting the help of many people who want the same thing.

The idea is simple but profound: Pick one moment each year when everyone who wants to participate simply stops what they are doing long enough to think about peace while they snap a picture. Make it an international event. Then, let the photos tell the story. Call it Worldwide Moment (WWM), “A simultaneous photography project for peace.”

It’s a small step in the right direction and it’s getting bigger. Yoko Ono's support of WWM on her website, Imagine Peace, helped skyrocket participation in 2009. Ono’s picture, taken at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, at 2:09 AM local time, is number 100 in WWM's online gallery.

Like the ever-expanding circle of waves caused by a rock falling into a pool of still water, the responses to WWM’s Photographic Peace Project continue to spread. The next ripple will be at the Southeast Gallery of Photographic Art where all 1300 photos taken on 9.9.09 at 9:09 AM will be on display during the month of December.

How a Non-Profit for World Peace Managed to Get a Photo Exhibit in Florida

Thirty minutes before T Time (the time to snap the shot), a friend told Scott Kelly about WWM's project for international peace. After the photo shoot, Brownell sent all of the participants an e-mail reporting on the success of the event and explaining how to find a photo in the online gallery. He included a request for help finding a gallery to exhibit all of the pictures.

Kelly was the owner of a six-month old photo gallery in Florida. He offered to host WWM's inaugural exhibition during the month of December, even though it meant changing the scheduled exhibits. Kelly, and his staff at The Southeast Gallery of Photographic Art, knew exactly how to put the show together and began to help Brownell plan.

For several years, WWM had been fueled by the passion of it's founder. As plans for the exhibit snowballed, friends and participants began helping organize the massive collection of photos with their accompanying stories. People from as far away as California participated in the volunteer effort. And, a few donations started to come in.

Photograpy Project for World Peace

As the organization grows, it requires broadbased support of people who believe that WWM's efforts for global peace can make a difference. Opportunities for service include:

This exhibit's budget is $3,000, but so far, only about $500 has been donated. Donations of any size are appreciated. Tax deductible donations to, Fractured Atlas , a non-profit arts service organization can be made for Worldwide Moment.

What Percentage of Donations are Used to Pay the Organizers?

The annual budget for WWM is under $10,000, with most of the expense coming from website design and maintenance, and database management. The project has been Brownell's baby from the start and the expenses to keep it going have been coming out of his pocket. Nevertheless, he says this work --and there's much more to do than one would expect -- for world peace is the "Highlight of the year for me." Brownell does not receive any pay from WWM for his passionate work towards global peace.

Party for World Peace! Who's Invited to the Party?

In conjunction with a local art community's celebration, the Opening Gala of the Inaugural Photo Exhibit of WWM will be held December 1, at 7:00 PM. All friends and participants are encouraged to attend. No RSVP is needed. Scott Kelly's Southeast Gallery of Photographic Art is located at 1446 19th Place, Suite 100, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Information about the party is available on the WWM website.

What's Next? How Does WWM Top The 2009 Photography Project and Art Exhibit?

Long range goals are a bit fuzzy as WWM focuses on the upcoming exhibit for world peace. However, a larger, west coast exhibit to be held in San Francisco is in the planning stages. After that, Brownell hopes to take the show abroad, perhaps to London.

Of course, the next photography project for world peace will be held on 10.10.10. One thought is to raise awareness and increase participation by moving the focus each year to a city where "The Moment" happens in the correct time zone. In 2010, that could be Sydney, Australia.

Talking about long-range plans, Brownell laughs and admits he won't be quitting his day job any time in the near future. For now, he's just pleased to have a little help.

The copyright of the article Photos for Peace Project Exceed Expectations in International Cultural Affairs is owned by Mistie Shaw. Permission to republish Photos for Peace Project Exceed Expectations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.