Little Rock kicks off Arkansas Peace Week with 7th Street Mural Project

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – If you’ve ever took a drive down West 7th street, then you’ve seen several paintings. Each piece of art holding a message.

Frankie Leighton is a volunteer for the Painting for Peace Day, and she says each piece of art tells a story.

“It’s a strong message about, like, community keeps us safe, community helps us,” Leighton said.

Each year during Arkansas Peace Week, families from diverse backgrounds join to engage in activities that teach love and fairness amongst all.

Tanya Hollifield is the organizer for this annual event and says when people come, they get the opportunity to express themselves through paint.

“We’ve been painting on these walls’ social justice and all about violence that happens to people of color,” Hollifield said.

She said it’s a landscape that lets people use their voices artistically. This year those who organized and volunteered are raising money for the Palestinian children’s relief fund.

Hollifield said she’s letting people know that America isn’t the only place affected by violence.

“Freedom is a constant struggle from Vedik to Palestine, the violence goes on here just like it goes on in Palestine, it’s all connected,” Hollifield said.

She says she encourages everyone to do something this week that pours care and integrity back into the community.

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