The project was developed in times that saw significant changes in the political landscape and Europe was facing an immense migrant crisis. The project wanted to shine light on these issues and as a consequence convey a message that all kinds of people are welcome to our city. Sandefjord has some strong players working with social entrepreneurship and Café Vintage was heavily involved in the project. The café offers training programs mainly for women and their families joined in as volunteers. Naper’n, a youth club at the city centre came along too as volunteers. It all played out very nicely as people from all over the world be it artists or refugees together painted ten murals in a two week period in July 2017. The project kicked off on July 3rd with the Norwegian prime minister, Erna Solberg, opening the event. It all become a massive joint collaboration between businesses and volunteers and the following deserves a big thank you!
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Tenkt Stort, Tenk Sandefjord, Torp Lufthavn Sandefjord, Ramirent, Jotun, Scandic Park Sandefjord, Sandefjord Brann og Redning, Gleditsch fargehandel
You can find the murals at the following locations:
“Peace between nations” by Eduardo Kobra, Brazil – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Trekkfugl” by Aleksei Bordusov (AEC), Ukraine – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Nature for everyone” by Bart Smates Smeets, Belgium – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“Stay with me” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – Parking lot behind Peter Grøns gate 2B
“We are all refugees” by Matias Sabotajealmontaje, Tenerife – Restaurant Smak, Thor Dahlsgt. 9
“Våre refleksjoner” by Eric Okdeh, US – Parking lot at Storgata 7
“Vårt Sandefjord” by Eric Okdeh, US Storgata 6
“Birds don’t have borders” by Peacetu, Brazil/Norway, – By Café Vintage, between Kongensgate 1 and 3
“The fruits of love” by Luis Lopez Alberto, Peru/Chile – Chr. Hvidts Plass 1
“Never give up” by Artez Street Art, Serbia – At Coop Prix, Kongensgt. 1B
“There is more that what you see” by Victor Ash, France/Denmark – Stockfeldsgate 6-8
Art for All in the World was founded by Sharon and Peter Claesson. Art for All is a non-profit organisation working with communities across the globe to harness the power of art as a force for positive change. In 1995, Peter and Sharon's passion for their work led them to Quito, Ecuador for an education and awareness project for 6,000 street children living in the city. They led adventure tours to national parks outside the city. One day during the project, Peter and Sharon learned that there were children living in the prisons of Quito. They decided to visit the prisons and asked permission for these children to join their adventure trips as well. The prisons agreed, and after witnessing the joy of the children during the trips, Peter and Sharon recognized the need to create a more positive environment for these kids, one that would instill a sense of possibility and hope.
The project then evolved further with the creation of a series of murals on the prison walls and throughout Quito in areas in need of regeneration. This proved to be a transformative experience, not only for Sharon and Peter, but also for those involved with the project. Many of the prisoners went on to exhibit and sell work and secure jobs following their release. This defining moment in Quito was the launch pad for Sharon and Peter who realized the need for public art and the joy that comes from creating with a community. They have gone on to run projects across the globe under the banner of Art for All ever since. Their largest project to date is a project where they did 70 murals in 70 countries simultaneously. The project in Sandefjord is the first in Northern Europe.
An amazing artist Victor Ash from the Art for All family was unfortunately not able to come in 2017. However, in June 2018 he came and painted a mural where he interpreted the challenges we are facing with climate change. You can find the mural at Stockfeldsgate 6-8. In August 2018 a local artist Linn Horntvedt will do a piece in Stockfeldsgate too.
