Big Mural
Workshop in Taiwan
30 July - 4 August 1997
NATIONAL CHANGHUA UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION (No.1)
ART JAPAN
A KIDS' GUERNICA workshop in Taiwan was held at Art Department National Changhua University of Education(NCUE) from July 30 to August 4, 1997. NCUE Professor Dr. Ann Cheng Shiang Kuo and the staff of the 'KIDS' GUERNICA' project coordinated and led the production of the mural with the assistance of art teachers from the participating elementary schools, NCUE students, and parents of the 60 participating Children . The children were a heterogenous group (ranging from artistically gifted to learning impaired) from the Taichung-Changhua area of central Taiwan, an area noted for its rich cultural environment.
The KIDS' GUERNICA workshop was supported by the Taiwan Art Education Association. The workshop committee was formed by TAEA president Dr. Ann C. S. Kuo. Several preparatory meetings were held between June 10 and July 25, 1997, and it was decided that during the first three days the participating children should get together in the morning at the NCUE art gellery to discuss: (1) the purpose and value of the workshop , (2)the theme of the mural, (3) why Picasso's Guernica is recognized as an international symbol of peace, (4) what message of peace the children of Taiwan would like to share with the children of the world through their artistic expressions on a large canvas(3.5mx7.8m) as a work of group collaboration.
The key messages of the mural were depicted in Chinese and Taiwanese symbols and images such as dancing dragons, lions, and the goddess Matsu, well as various characteristic icons of Taiwan's indigenous tribes such as the paipu snakes.The mural conveyed the children's wishes fof golbal peace, harmony, tranquility, and everlasting happiness.
Opening and closing ceremonies were held on August 2 and August 4 respectively Approximately 60 children and their families and teachers attended both occasions. The media, government officials, university administrators, and other honoured guests were invited. Madame Chin Chu Wong, the legislator, said The Children are trying to understand each other's cultures through the symbols and images they create. They should be very proud of the KIDS' GUERNICA workshop. Mr. Yasuda Tadashi, the executive director of ART JAPAN, expressed appreciation for everyone's participation and presented a certificate of attendance to each child at the closing ceremony. As Chen Hsuan Yu (grade 2) said, the children's participation in the workshop will never be fogotten.
The KIDS' GUERNICA project broke new ground. It was the first major group mural created by children from the arts community of Changhua and Taichung to be documented on the internet, the first central Taiwan cultural event participated in by children of many communities and schools to garner national and international media attention, and the first time the children of the Changhua district have been given the opportunity to become art ambassadors for Taiwan.

Children:
Tsai, Yu Fang, 15
Chen, Shao Wen, 12
Hung, Shou Wei, 12
Chiu, Chao Yung, 10
Tseng, Wan Chi, 10
Tseng, Ching Tong, 8
Tseng, Yu Wen, 13
Chen, Yen Ju, 12
Chen, Hsuan Ju, 11
Lin, Pei Hsi, 12
Lin, Hung Chi, 9
Sung, Wei Tien, 8
Lin, I Ling, 10
Lin, Sheng Wei, 8
Lin, Wen Ting, 10
Chou, Chien Ming, 10
Huang, Cheng I, 10
Li, An Hsuen, 6
Lai, Tsung Min, 8
Li, Hui Ting, 8
Ho, Cheng Yuan, 12
Lai, Hung Jun, 12
Wu, I Jung, 11
Lo, Chen Hao, 13
Teng, Hsiang Lung, 14
Hung, Ta Chun, 10
Sheng, Shen Ping, 10
Chang, Yu Sheng, 13
Chen, Yung Wen, 8
Lin, Cheng Tse, 9
Lo, Yuan Fu, 10
Wen, Kai Ting, 10
Wen, Kai Min, 12
Wu, Chen Hua, 11
Lin, Wei Cheng, 12
Chen, I Zuo, 11
Chen, Hsuan Yu, 8
Lan, Jie Ling, 8
Huang, I Te, 9
Yang, Tse Hsuan, 8
Hsie, Yun Hsin, 8
Ko, Ying Yu, 10
Lin, Yen Chu, 9
Hsu, Ting Fu, 7
Lin, I Ju, 8
Chen, Cha I, 8
Ho, Rui Chien, 8
Tung, Hsiang Hsuan, 8
Su, Wuan Ling, 8
Lai, Tsung Yue, 11
Hung, Hsang Yu, 8
Shih Cheng Lung, 11
Kuo, I Chi, 11
Huang, Hsiang Chi, 10
Huang, Hsiang Ting, 9
Lin, Yuan Hung, 10
Lin, Ying Tsai, 8
Chang, Ya Wen, 12
Yang, I Ming, 5
Lin, Mei Ling, 8