My name is Jaimen McMillan, director of the Spacial Dynamics Institute, which has its international headquarters in upstate New York. One of our activities is to foster international communication and cooperation between communities in conflict, using athletics and the arts.
I am writing this brief letter of recommendation for Barbara Thorngren, who has served as the directress for the Arts Programs for these festivals over many years. Please see (www.handsinpeace.org). Hands in Peace has created Peace Festivals on four continents over the past 12 years.
Barbara has been a vibrant force in these festivals, using art both as a source of self expression, as well as a way to meet, interact, collaborate, and celebrate cultural differences. Barbara is as talented in the organizational aspects of directing, as she is in the actual teaching of the arts themselves. Over a thousand children, from as many as 12 different countries, have benefitted from Barbara’s dedication, ability and history of service through the Arts.
I am writing to both express gratitude and to recommend Barbara Thorngren to any organization which wants to use the Arts to bring the best out of people, and to help make this world a better place through beauty, cooperation, and creativity.
Jaimen McMillan
Director, Spacial Dynamics Institute