Laurina Bergvist, Sweden Regional Coordinator
Mother of 4 boys, teacher, and spiritual activist. "We live the life of adventure, traveling half the year to learn more through meeting creative, original people. We believe that 'When the student is ready, the teacher appears.'"

Jyoti Thomas, ID, Australia Regional Coordinator
"I just love the whole idea of the GAP. Having participated in this wonderful project last year I am keen to promote it around my area of rural Victoria and get others to also enjoy this wonderful exchange of goodwill, creativity and promotion of peace. I am a practising artist myself and work as an art therapist with many different groups over the years. I think this project is wonderful and we so need this type of energy in our world, so would like to help out if I can."

Eleni Kotziamani, Cyprus Regional Coordinator
"I'm a teacher in a primary public school in Cyprus. I'm also involved in several youth initiatives which bring together youth from the two major communities of Cyprus (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots), who have lived apart since they were born. The youth initiatives, organized and implemented by the Doves Olympic Movement, use Olympism, the blend of sports, cultural and educational activities to promote personal and social change. Being part of the Global Art Project is a stimulating experience which provides the youth of Cyprus the opportunity to interact and exchange artwork with people outside the small island of Cyprus"

Syed Shujat Jafri, Pakistan Regional Coordinator
My heart weeps sometimes to see hunger, war, disease and other grave issues in this whole world. I believe that it is the responsibility of each and every individual to play their role to promote peace, love and harmony among people and masses. So here am I, hoping to play my role with utmost responsibility.

Alissa Laughlin, NJ, United States Regional Coordinator
"I am so happy to connect with this organization and I look forward to getting involved. I am from Hopewell, New Jersey and went to college out in southern California. I studied studio art and psychology and am in the direction of getting my masters in art therapy. I have experience working with children with disabilities to express themselves using art instead of verbal communication. Art has given me an aesthetic view of the world by showing how internal attitudes and view points are contributing externally which means everyone else plays a role in a collective society. I would like to extend my passion and contribute to the Global Art Project for Peace by working with communities to express who we are in higher states of personal consciousness and promote unity-consciousness through peace and positive growth."

Nico Eilers, South Africa Regional Coordinator
"I do Art Adventure (Training and Therapy) to empower potential artists and crafters using art and environmental education. I am a committee member of Bellville Art Gallery and will gladly distribute the GAP brochures to fellow artists and art lovers. South African Artists are experiencing an African Renaissance. I believe that GAP Global Art Project will help us to promote peace and prosperity - also to the rest of Africa."

Dolly Bolen, Ontario, Canada Regional Coordinator
"I am an artist and I developed an early literacy program that combines rhymes, songs, books, music and art to help children ages 0-5 learn different ways to communicate and have fun." "I would like to help spread the word about the Global Art Project. I enjoy all aspects of art and I believe all children (and people of all ages) should learn the joys of art! I believe that achieving peace by spreading the word through art is something everyone can do in their own way. We may not all agree on how peace can be achieved but we can all contribute in a positive way in our goal for world peace."

Krystal Kiran Garib, Ontario, Canada Regional Coordinator
"Being able to be a part of the Global Art Project is an excellent opportunity to get in touch with other artists, of all disciplines, around the world. Art is an intellectual, emotional and physical process, and when someone is able to create something that is considered 'intangible' into something 'tangible' or physically present, that is a beautiful thing. To see this process of creation come from different people in different parts of the world, different walks of life, and with different ideas, perceptions and experiences of life, the world, and 'reality', we unite the individual beings on this giant entity called the earth, into one. I am very proud to be able to help spread the word, which in essence, brings people together in peace."

Syed Imon Rizvi, Pakistan Regional Coordinator
"We need to create awareness about peace and education through out this world. If saving one person is saving all humanity, then conveying message of peace to one person means conveying it to whole humanity. Helping those who are helping others would be considered a good act as well so thats why I am helping Global Art Project. May God help us in achieving peace, love and unity in this world." - Syed Imon Rizvi

Lisa Fam, Australia Regional Coordinator
Lisa is currently studying Transpersonal Art Therapy. She is passionate about the potential of art to heal the body, mind and spirit, and is excited to be contributing to the Project for a second time. The Peace House that Lisa created with the Daylesford Kids' Dharma Club for the last exchange can be seen in the 2006 Global Art Project Gallery.

Rono Takagawa and Gwyn Helverson, Japan Regional Coordinators
Gwyn and Rono are married and live in a 150-year-old farmhouse in the mountains 30 miles outside Kyoto. For each Global Art Project exchange, they design and print the Global Art Project brochure in Japanese and distribute it throughout Japan.

MaryAnn Miller, NJ, United States Regional Coordinator
MaryAnn Miller is a painter, book artist and museum educator. Her work has been exhibited across the USA and in traveling shows from Lafayette College's Experimental Printmaking Institute and the Printmaking Council of New Jersey.

Ajong Kwenyach Dingana, South West Region, Cameroon Regional Coordinator
"I am a student in my final year in the university reading law. I love arts and culture as you can see from my outfit! My best part of arts is music and drawing. I had always love to involve myself in an organization to which I could help change the world through arts. I guess and pray GAP is the final place to which I have placed my stand to help in this change and bring peace. I am ready to do my possible best as the Regional Coordinator for Global Art Project for Peace by working with my communities to promote arts in a higher state of personal consciousness."

Carrie Eley-Durbin, Coordinator for Montessori Schools
"Montessori Education is based on peace, kindness, civility, and integrity. Maria Montessori was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice! She said 'Establishing a lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.' And Ghandi, 'If we are to have real peace in this world, we must begin with the children.' After years in higher education, I found I was drawn to little children, who are, in their own essence, love, and who yearn for a peace they do not know. Hopefully we can have great Montessori School participation in the Global Art Project this year!"

Karen Duperron, Alberta, Canada Regional Coordinator
"I have been an art educator in public and private schools for over ten years. I have lived in Thailand, Brazil, Switzerland and Canada. I met Katherine Josten when I was working and living in Thailand. Her project, GAP, inspired me to seek other participants to help spread peace through art work. Working with children and GAP allows us to be examples of how we can make our world a better place by uniting people all over the world to create art for the sake of peace. I am very grateful for the project. I will continue to spread the word about the Global Art Project in any area in which I live."

Geneva Haber, AZ, United States Regional Coordinator
"I am very excited about the Global Art Project and happy to help in any way I can. Sharing a desire for peace in our hearts, homes, schools,...world through a handmade work of art is an amazing and affirming process. I feel joyfully called to be a part of expanding participation in this Project."

Frances Clem, CT, United States Regional Coordinator
"My favorite part of being an artist is teaching young artists from ages eight to eighteen from my home studio. They are an inspiration to me and my own art, which is mainly oil primitive portraits and watercolors. We can all make a difference in the world, sharing our gifts, reaching out in love through art. Peace is possible!"

John Lawrence, AZ, United States Regional Coordinator
"Given the state of conflict in many parts of the world, I feel that every gesture made in the spirit of peace by individuals will build momentum toward harmony. The Global Art Project is an ideal venue for such expression."

Zakaria El Hamel, Morocco Regional Coordinator
"My name is Zakaria El Hamel, President and Founder of Youth for Peace and Dialogue between Cultures, founded in 24 June 2008 by Moroccan Youth. During my research and interest in Interfaith and Religious Tolerance field, I fullfield my dream by creating and launching an organization with its mission building a world where young people from different relegious and backgrounds can come to gather to create understanding and respect. 'Youth for Peace and Dialogue between Cultures' has participated and organized several activities for kids and youth in a few months of its establishment." "Thank you very much for giving me this great opportunity to know and learn from each others. Art can bring people from diffrent faiths togather in Peace, Harmony and Love..."

Douglas Striker, OH, United States Regional Coordinator
Douglas resides in Cincinnati, OH where he has participated in the GAP since 1996. "I love incorporating creativity into all aspects of my life, and expanding my awareness of the world. I haven’t had the chance to travel outside North America, but the GAP gives me the opportunity to connect with another part of the world in a way that is beyond comparison. Putting positive and creative energy out towards someone that you don't even know, and thinking that the same energy is coming towards you is a great feeling."

Mary Gravelle, NM, United States Regional Coordinator
Mary is an artist who offers workshops on spirituality and the arts through her business, Wisdom Painting and Art (www.wisdompainting.com). She believes in the power of creating art to further personal and world peace. "I fully support the Global Art Project. Meeting Katherine Josten and witnessing the GAP exhibition in Tucson cemented my commitment. Art, whether making it or gazing at it, touches and moves our soul in a deep way; thereby, changing our world. It is my pleasure to coordinate GAP in the Silver City area."

Marja Wilska, Finland Regional Coordinator
Marja teaches English at an elementary school near Helsinki. She has coordinated several international projects and is currently working on a fundraising project for UNICEF.