Prayer Canvas: America 4 Boston

Wagner, Kari · May 2, 2013

A massive art canvas filled with messages of hope and support from around the country for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, will be unveiled the day of the 2014 Boston Marathon a Boston Red Sox game on April 21, 2014. When the canvases are presented at Fenway Park to the City of Boston, the project is expected to be the size of a football field. The America 4 Boston Prayer Canvas launched on National Prayer Day, May 2, 2013. Since then more then 25,000 people from 42 states have participated by signing a square, painting a message or sharing words of encouragement. The goal is to have all 50 states represented when the national tour is completed in February 2014. Within weeks of the Boston tragedy, a group of women from Naples, FL. launched the project with the hope of creating a countrywide symbol of unity, resilience and compassion. Connected through their children's school, along with their desire to help, the seven women ordered giant blank canvases (6ft. x18ft.) and gridded 360 squares on each one. Next, they sent the canvases out to their friends, family, and co-workers asking everyone to paint a picture, write a message or sign their name in a square using the colors red, white, and blue. The response to the national project has been overwhelming. In the last few months the Prayer Canvas has visited The Alamo, Mt Rushmore, the National Mall, California State Capitol, Santa Monica Pier, MLB All-Star Game, NASCAR All-star Race, PGA events, festivals, marathons, schools and churches.