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Interfaith Mural Returns to the Saint Louis Science Center
St. Louis Teens Construct a New Interfaith Mural
ST. LOUIS, MO – (March 6, 2016) – On Sunday, March 6, teens from the St. Louis area created a unique mural of canned goods that will be on display at the Saint Louis Science Center through Sunday, March 27. These teens, representing four faiths (Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian), have taken their inspiration from Jerusalem, a giant screen film currently showing at the Saint Louis Science Center’s OMNIMAX® Theater. The structure, requiring 1700 cans, is a bridge with supports representing the four faith groups being connected by concepts of interfaith cooperation to represent the theme of “Bridging the Gap though Conversation”. For the third year, The Center for Indian Cultural Education – Bal Vihar of St. Louis and Interfaith Quest have organized this collaborative project in partnership with the Saint Louis Science Center.
"The Saint Louis Science Center is excited to host this interfaith, interdisciplinary project,” said Jenny Heim, Director, Strategic Planning and Projects. “The teens used both art and science to construct this beautiful structure that speaks to hopes for peace and understanding. This project gives the Science Center an opportunity to be a hub where people from our region's diverse communities can come together."
Forty teens, representing the Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths, built the structure. Additionally, seven teens from the Saint Louis Science Center’s YES (Youth Exploring Science) program participated in the project. This is the third year teens have collaborated on an interfaith artwork at the Saint Louis Science Center.
"A CANstruction project allows local youth representing various faith groups, from different regions in the area to come together and build on their shared values. By partnering with the Saint Louis Science Center, we are able to share the energy and commitment this generation has for making the world a better place. Through the process of assembling the CANstruction, interfaith teens enhance team work and share interfaith conversations. With all the recent negative press around youth and religion, we are pleased to display hard work, harmony and interfaith understanding," said Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez, who heads Interfaith Quest.
When the structure is disassembled, the cans, purchased through the generosity of local faith communities, will be donated to Operation Food Search.
“One reason we create projects like this at Bal Vihar is to teach our youth the value of community service and to create a sense of oneness within our community. We especially love projects that we can share with our interfaith friends.” said Shoba Shekar, Community Projects Coordinator at Bal Vihar.
The Jerusalem-inspired mural will be on display through Sunday, March 27. It is on the first floor of the Saint Louis Science Center’s main building, in the Human Adventure Gallery.
About the Saint Louis Science Center
The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. It is one of the top 15 science centers worldwide and was named one of the “Top 10 Science Centers for Families” by Parents magazine. The Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater, Boeing Hall and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.
Trademarks
Thank you for your interest in the Saint Louis Science Center. We ask that you include the full names of our institution: Saint Louis Science Center, OMNIMAX® Theater, Boeing Hall and James S. McDonnell Planetarium when writing your story.
About Bal Vihar
Center for Indian Cultural Education - Bal Vihar of St. Louis is a cultural school designed to promote, instill, and foster Indian culture in children ages 5 and above. Bal Vihar encourages the youth group (ages 13 an above) to participate in activities that promote respect and understanding of different cultures and religion. Bal Vihar has been in existence since 1992 and its current enrollment is over 400 students.
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