“From November 2020 to May 2023, the TFAA & Be the Peace Be the Hope program team worked closely with 3rd-grade, 4th-grade, and 5th-grade Felix Cook Elementary students in collaboration with their Felix Cook Fine Arts teacher, Chris Perkins, to help them increase their well-being and sense of self & belonging, and develop vital socio-emotional skills through arts, neuroscience, mindfulness, and community development. Through the series of empowering socio-emotional artistic, cultural workshops and Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau inspiring guided tours, Felix Cook students discovered their most important values and beliefs and how they shape their perspectives on life. They learned how to manage emotions and find the peace of mind to express and develop their potential. They discovered that true greatness lies in fully using one's values, strengths, and talents and sharing them with the team, just like the artisans and artists who created Azay-le-Rideau's masterpiece.

After being guided through these yearlong workshops, the empowered students completed several visual Arts projects to share with the public what they have learned about themselves and their community. Building on the success of the program’s first two years, the team invited in 2022-2023, Azay-le-Rideau school & the Houston Center for Photography to contribute to a cultural and educational exchange between the students of Houston and Azay-le-Rideau. This year, the project revolves around finding peace within oneself by sharing a piece of their story through photography and meaningful narratives.”

– Karine Parker Lemoyne

Texan-French Alliance for the Arts / Be the Peace Be the Hope Executive & Program Director