About the Tents of Hope Project
The mission of the Tents of Hope project is to support a one-year process in which people respond as communities to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan by creating tents that are both unique works of art and ongoing focal points within communities for learning about, assisting and establishing relationships with the people of Sudan. The tents are not answers in themselves. Rather, they are points of entry for more concrete forms of Darfur advocacy.
The Tents of Hope project emerged in June 2007 through a partnership between the United Church of Christ, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Dear Sudan. With the support of these two denominations, Petaluma, CA-based Dear Sudan has engaged in national organizing efforts since May 2004 to build a community-based response to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.
The structure of the Tents of Hope project is decentralized and temporary. It is a one-year project in which local communities are responsible for taking the initiative to shape the project both through the creation of the tents as works of art and the use of the tents as focal points for education, advocacy and fundraising for humanitarian assistance. National coordination is focused on giving support to these local efforts in such areas as the project website and the national event in Washington, DC November 7-9, 2008.
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Media Coverage
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FAQ
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GETTING THE TENT
When is the Washinton DC event?
November 7-9, 2008.
Why should we spend $500 on the tent?
It is important to view this expense as part of a long-term fundraising and advocacy campaign for your community. Your Tents of Hope event is part of a one-year process of increasing awareness, building commitment, and raising funds for humanitarian relief for the people of Darfur. One way to defray the cost while increasing participation in your Tents of Hope event is to divide the cost of a new tent between various community groups; for example, 10 groups could contribute $50 each toward the cost of the tent.
Are funds available for groups that can't afford to buy a tent?
Yes. But funds are extremely limited. We encourage participating groups to work collaboratively with other groups (congregations, businesses, schools, civic organizations) in their communities to defray the cost of the tent. Other options include finding a canvas wall tent locally, buying one at a military surplus store or building an inexpensive PVC frame tent (see instructions on website).
How long does it take to receive the tent once it's ordered?
Delivery usually takes 1-2 weeks. However rush orders are available.
Is it difficult to set up the tent?
It's easy! The standard 8x10 ft. tent from Reliable Tents has 18 poles and a one-piece canvas tent. It takes two people about 10 minutes to put the poles together and pull the tent over the frame. It's also easy to carry around from place to place since it has separate carrying bags for the tent and the poles. Remember to hose down the tent before you begin painting to tighten the weave and make it waterproof. But be sure it dries thoroughly afterwards to avoid mold.
Should our group, school or congregation buy our own tent?
An important goal of the campaign is to bring together different community groups in a fun and meaningful way to help the people of Darfur. While some groups are buying their own tents, they are still inviting the whole community to participate.
Are there other types of tents we can use?
You might find a suitable tent in your community. An 8x10 ft. canvas wall tent is recommended for this project since they will be displayed together on the National Mall in Washington DC. Someone in your community might donate a tent or you might buy a used canvas wall tent at a military surplus store (NOTE: They can't be treated with paraffin like many military surplus tents or the paint won't adhere properly). Another option is to make your own tent. A PVC frame design will be posted on our website. The materials for a PVC frame can be purchased at hardware or plumbing stores for about $80. Reliable Tents will sell you a canvas wall tent without a frame or separate panels of canvas.
MAKE YOUR OWN TENT
(click on image to enlarge)
How many tents should we get for our community?
Large cities will have many tents. In some areas, small towns are sharing a tent. There is no set limit.
How many people do we need to start a tent?
A small committee of 3-4 people can facilitate the process of creating a tent by reaching out to congregations, schools, civic organizations, artists and other groups in the community.
PAINTING THE TENT
Paint Material Information
Enough to paint one 8’ x 10’ tent
Provided by: Leena Pradhan
Paint: Acrylic Paint, most durable and best suited for the tent canvas
Blickrylic from Blick Art is economical
Set of 12 — includes one of each color, in pint bottles or half gallons OR buy colors individually 4.65-OZ or the larger tubes of acrylic paint.
Hint* Buy more of white color, easy to mix to give different shades
Brushes:
3 ea. 2” Blick gesso brushes
3 ea. 1” Blick gesso brushes
1 ea. Loew Corrnell- (12 round bristle brushes set)
1 ea. Loew Cornell- (12 round white nylon set)
Other Painting Materials:
1 ea. Acrylic gloss medium 1/2 gallon.
8 ea. Plastic muffin white 6 well
2 ea. Plastic Tup 5 qt.
4 ea. Plastic Tup 2.5 qt
Other Useful Materials
1 ea. Film-gard plastic sheet 10 ftX100ft 4 Mil
1 ea. Masking tape
3 ea. Paper towel rolls
What should we paint on the tent?
One of the great things about this campaign is the opportunity to be creative and have fun. Let your creativity flow! We want to convey images of hope, compassion, peace and global solidarity, but it's impossible to predict where the creative process will take us. Follow your heart. Children have wonderful ideas. Did you know Picasso studied the way children painted and used their techniques in his artistic process? Since we are working in a cross-cultural context, we must be sensitive to religious and cultural issues, and religious and political imagery should be avoided.
What kind of paint do we use?
Acrylic. It dries fast and is durable. It's water based and easy to clean up! There are many brands ranging from inexpensive arts and crafts paint to expensive artist's quality paint. You may want to buy a few kinds of acrylic paint and see what you like. Some communities are even using acrylic house paint to save money. The use of a gesso base is debatable. Some artists say it is necessary (and it provides a smooth surface for painting and may help to protect the tent from mildew) while others say it is an unnecessary expense.
Will the paint run if it gets wet?
Acrylic paint is very durable and will not run or smear once it has dried. The tent should always be dried thoroughly after painting or when it gets wet to prevent mildew and rot.
Can we do things to decorate the tent other than painting?
Yes. Suggestions have ranged from sewing needlepoint or quilted fabrics onto the tent to using spray paint. See how far your imagination can carry you on this journey!
What is the best way to document our project?
Photographs and video are the best way to document the campaign since this is a visual project. But we strongly encourage you to share your tent stories on our blog.
How can we include large numbers of people in painting without buying several or more tents?
Reliable Tents is also selling large canvas panels (3 x 6 and 5 x 7 ft.) and small canvas squares (1 x 1 ft.). The small squares -- which are being used in the "patchwork tents" -- are ideal for youth and large groups.
What should we do with the large separate canvas panels?
Many communities are ordering large separate canvas panels. This option provides them with additional space for painting without having to purchase another tent. These large panels -- 3 x 6 and 5 x 7 ft. -- are hemmed with grommets so they can hang
from the internal frame of the tent. The panels can be displayed at various events by hanging them inside
the tent, laying them on the ground around the tent or hanging them on the walls of a building. If some
groups want to buy the large panels, and not a tent, they could be displayed locally and at the
"Gathering of the Tents" event in Washington DC in October 2008. Another option is to build a PVC frame (the design is posted on the website) and hang the panels from the frame.
ACTIONS WITH THE TENT
Where should we put the tent?
The tent can be erected indoors or outdoors. Many communities are moving the tent from one location to another to symbolize the movement of refugees and give different groups the opportunity to paint and display it. It's important to occasionally put the tent in public places, like parks and town squares, for public viewing.
What sort of activities should we do with the tent?
The purpose of the Tents of Hope project is to encourage a community-based response to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan through education, advocacy and fundraising for humanitarian aid. The tent is a tangible focal point for our compassion and peacemaking as communities. Other than painting the tent, activities can range from sleeping in the tent and eating a refugee meal to showing a film on the side of tent to incorporating the tent in a worship service or school program.
What should we do if we finish painting our tent months before the Washington DC event?
Several states are organizing a statewide "Gathering of the Tents" event in which all of the tents in a particular state are brought to the state capital in spring 2008 to raise public awareness about Sudan. This idea can be adapted at a local and regional level for a special public event or in association with an already scheduled event. We hope that such activities will encourage other communities to participate in the campaign.
Is the tent only a symbol?
Each tent is a symbol of the loss suffered by millions of people who have been uprooted from their homes and forced to flee to displaced persons camps in Darfur and refugee camps in Chad. The tent also is a symbol of hope. It reminds us that we are one human family, demonstrating our solidarity with the people of Sudan and our commitment to stand with them until they are able to return to their own communities. But, as a symbol, the tent encourages us to become united in our demand that the international community fulfill its moral and legal responsibility to ensure the protection and well-being of innocent Sudanese civilians.
How do we get our tent to the event in Washington DC?
Most communities are sending a delegation with their tent(s). Information about the event will be posted on the website in January 2008. Travel scholarships will be available for students.
Where will the tents go after the Washington DC event?
This is a decision for each participating community to make. Humanitarian relief agencies are in urgent need of funds to send aid, including
tents, to Sudan. It would impose a special hardship on them to ship the painted tents to Sudan and decide how they would be used. We have a few
creative suggestions for using the tents after the Washington DC event, and welcome your suggestions.
- We could bring the painted tents back to our communities to be used for Darfur activism. The tents could be displayed in congregations, schools, parks or elsewhere as a symbol of our continuing solidarity with the people of Sudan -- and a reminder of the urgent and ongoing need for humanitarian aid.
- We could hold the tents "in trust" for specific villages, towns and cities in Darfur until resettlement begins. Once Darfuris begin to return to their own communities, we could help support the process of rebuilding and reconciliation. Perhaps, by then, it would be possible to send the tents to Sudan as a symbol of our solidarity.
- We could use the tents in schools, museums and other public venues to educate people about refugees. We might choose another region of the world to focus upon while encouraging people to see that particular refugee crisis through the eyes of refugees.
- We could "recycle" the tents as shelters for various activities, such as school field trips, community events, church picnics, summer Bible schools or playrooms for children.
- We could display the painted canvas as banners in schools, sanctuaries and other public places. This could be a permanent installation or displayed on certain days, such as World Refugee Day.
What should we do with canvas panels after they are painted?
The "patchwork" tents contain about 300 small canvas panels (1 x 1 ft.) that are painted on one side by American children and on the other side by Darfuri children. Members of the Tents of Hope project team will bring the panels to refugee camps in Chad and Reliable Tents and Tipis will sew them together into 8x10 tents. Once participating communities complete their panels, they should be sent to the Tents of Hope office (504 Baker St., Petaluma, CA 94952).
