Collaborative Organizations

INTERNATIONAL

International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA)
In July 2008 Lin Evola-Smidt represented the Art of Peace Charitable Trust at the Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms and Light Weapons, for which the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) coordinated NGO participation. During the July 14th to 18th meeting, the Art of Peace Charitable Trust requested and was granted accreditation by all 192 Member States. The Art of Peace Charitable Trust is honored to have been one of the very few non governmental agencies allowed to participate in and witness this historic meeting. IANSA supports Lin Evola-Smidt’s work to melt down weapon stockpiles worldwide.

NATIONAL

California
Homeboy Industries – Los Angeles, CA
Homeboy Industries assists at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education. Thousands of young people have walked through the doors of Homeboy Industries looking for a second chance, and finding community. Lin is truly a gifted artist who is doing tremendously important work in highlighting the chaos that our youth are causing with their use of guns and other destructive weapons, which are turned into beautiful and inspirational works of art in the form of the Peace Angel Monuments around the world. Lin’s work is vital to our community and the world. 

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department – Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is committed to taking illegal guns off the street. By removing such guns, the streets are safer for all of us. The Art of Peace Charitable Trust will take some of the guns the Department now confiscates and destroys by way of melting them down, and turn what once could be used to commit a crime into monuments of art. In fact, they will be used to create “Angel Monuments.” These monuments will remind all of us that a peaceful more secure world is attainable. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is proud to be a part of such a human endeavor.

Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA
The Violence Prevention Coalition promotes the Public Health Model in applying public policies to reduce violence in their communities. Their 150+ members represent gun violence prevention advocates, gang intervention providers, domestic/relationship violence prevention and intervention services, public health agencies, hospitals, educational institutions, the faith community and numerous individuals, who collectively work with thousands of families across the Southland. Since 1994, they have partnered with Lin Evola-Smidt to produce the Angel of Peace Award, in recognition of community partners who exemplify dedication to reducing violence.

New York

New York Police Department – New York, NY
The New York Police Department (NYPD) supports and lauds the efforts of renowned artist Ms. Lin-Evola Smidt and the Art of Peace Charitable Trust whose goal is the eradication of dangerous weapons from cities all over the world. As a Law Enforcement Agency, we have first-hand knowledge of the devastation caused by guns. Criminals use guns in their crimes and destroy innocent lives. At the NYPD, we admire Ms. Evola-Smidt’s artistic work and believe the Art of Peace Charitable Trust is a valuable instrument in helping to reduce the number of guns on the streets of New York City. 

United Global Shift – New York, NY
AOPCT is a great example of a project that has the potential to express the Conscious Full Spectrum Response technology. The way AOPCT integrates not only the technology of melting weapons into peace monuments, but also then retrains the individuals who are surrendering the weapons and provides opportunities to shift their economic system through hydroponic vertical farms in the inner city communities they are living in. This not only gets guns off the streets, but creates whole new worlds (and jobs) for the community. Projects like AOPCT are the possibility of shifting from