Flag of Hope Comes to Asheville

Staff Reports

Asheville Wordfest and YMI Cultural Center join hands to bring artist Edwin Gil and the Flag of Hope to Asheville on Saturday, March 19 between 11 and 4 p.m. People from all walks of life, all nationalities, all cultural backgrounds are invited to participate in this state-wide art project.

People will first sign a giant 6×20-foot canvas and provide their name, date, and birthplace and then place their handprint on top of their signature. The Asheville canvas will be connected to canvasses created in the Piedmont and Coastal regions, forming a 36×70-foot “flag” representing the diversity within North Carolina.

Edwin Gil who was born in Itagui, Colombia, South America, has done
similar projects around the world. He documents these experiences
through a blog, video, pictures and personal interviews with
participants. Readers can visit his website at www.edwingil.com. His
goal for the project is to promote hope and understanding within North
Carolina’s diverse communities, as well as raise awareness around
diversity and acceptance.

Through his recently completed social service project, Nuestra Bandera,
Nuestro Pais, Nuestro Hogar (Our Flag, Our County, Our Home), Gil saw
firsthand “the struggles, sacrifices, determination and above all else,
the hope, that we use as tools to support one another.” He contends that
“we all have different backgrounds and that North Carolina was built by
each of us.” Therefore, a flag made of handprints will serve as a
reminder of interconnectedness within diversity.

Wordfest director and marketing director at Grateful Steps Publishing
House and Bookshop, Laura Hope-Gill is working with Ron King, Tydarryl
Bailey, and Dan Johnson of the YMI to reach out to all individuals and
communities to fill the canvas. Music and food will also be part of the
day’s events. There is no charge to participate.

Wordfest and YMI welcome donations to cover expenses. This free event
will take place at the Ymi Cultural Center, located at the corner of
Eagle and Market Streets in Asheville.