Wholeness is symbolized by the circle. Stability is epitomized by the square. The swivel equals never-ending growth.
Together with other symbols and designs like the lily, water and triangles, they form a Rangoli painting.
In this South Asian folk art tradition, a woman begins the day by painting a Rangoli pattern on the entrance of her home. It is passed from mother to daughter to symbolize the protection and well-being of one’s family.
Now the tradition will be passed on to the Evanston community. Indira Johnson, director and founder of the Shanti Foundation for Peace, presented a Rangoli design workshop Thursday night at Family Focus, 2010 Dewey Ave. The workshop, hosted by Evanston Neighborhood Conference, drew 19 residents.
Johnson will compile their ideas to create a Rangoli pattern with the theme “uniting the community for peace,” which will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday at a Rangoli ceremony.
Next week is the YWCA’s 7th-annual Week Without Violence campaign,which now is nationwide and in more than 40 countries.
The Rangoli ceremony at Foundation Square in Evanston will kick off the YWCA Evanston/North Shore Week Without Violence campaign.
Johnson said the Rangoli tradition is a ritual that helps people share their mutual joys and sorrows.
“As an artist, I’m interested in how the creative process is similar to non-violence,” Johnson said. “(Rangoli) is a way for individuals to locate themselves in the cosmos.”
On Monday the YWCA, 1215 Church St., will sponsor violent toy trade-in day, during which children and young adults can turn in any toy, game or book that encourages violence. YWCA spokeswoman Katiti Crawford said the participants are given a non-violent toy in return, such as an art kit or a book. At the end of the day there will be a raffle for a kid’s climbing class at Evanston Athletic Club, 1723 Benson Ave.
Other events include the YWCA’s Walk Against Violence and candlelight vigil ceremony at the First Bank & Trust of Evanston, 820 Church St., and Friday’s presentation on violence in the media from a representative with the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention at the YWCA.
Violent crimes, which include murder, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery, account for less than 20 percent of the total crime index in Illinois, according to Illinois State Police Crime Studies Section. There were 99,776 violent crimes committed in Illinois in 1998, a 16.7 percent decrease from the 119,774 crimes committed in 1995.
In Evanston there were 347 violent offenses committed in 1998 and 349 violent offenses in 1999, according to Evanston Police Department’s 1999 Crime Index.
YWCA Executive Director Christie Dailey asked Thursday’s participants to think of the ways violence is pervasive in their lives.
“Think of the morning news on your clock radio,” she said. ‘Think of road rage, movies, media. Think about your kids’ video games and the message that they send.”
“The idea is that if we can avoid violence for a day, we can do it for a week. If we do it for a week, we can do it for a month. If we do it for a month, we can do it for a year. And if we can do it for a year, then we can live a lifetime without violence.”
