Paintbrush Diplomacy

Connecting people through art.

Welcome

We use art to connect people and understand cultures different from our own.  

We work to cultivate cultural awareness and understanding through the arts while eliminating harmful stereotypes. We hope to create a positive, creative learning space across borders for people to explore and exchange ideas and experiences, helping them understand those who are different. Today, with increasing access to technology and international systems, this type of global awareness and citizenship is fundamental.

International Art Exchange

For classrooms

We talk to interested teachers and, based on their students and focus, match them with other teachers and their classrooms in different parts of the world (like an art pen pal).

For artists

Exchange your art with an artist in another part of the world! We help you share your art in a safe space and hopefully make a friend in the process.

Hello World by TransCultural Exchange

We are also excited to participate in Hello World, an international project where artists throughout the world have submitted art works to share with all of us. We hope you enjoy this gesture of goodwill and solidarity from our colleagues around the globe. Learn more about this incredible project here.

NEWS

  • The Value of Acorns - These watercolor paintings were created by Maeve O’Sullivan’s 1st grade students at St. John’s School in Healdsburg, California. This year they have chosen to explore the value of acorns and…
  • We love our trees! - Maeve O’Sullivan’s class returns to feature in our highlighted News this year, as the 1st grade students at St. John’s School in Healdsburg, California, United States explore what trees mean…
  • The Value of Water - Browse these 31 poignant watercolor paintings created by Maeve O’Sullivan’s 1st grade students at St. John’s School in Healdsburg, California, United States. Examining the theme of "The Value of Water"…
  • Global Warming Watercolor Global Warming Watercolors - These watercolor paintings were created by Maeve O'Sullivan's 1st grade students at St. John's School in Healdsburg, California. This year they have chosen to represent the theme of global warming,…
  • Josh Muir inspired portrait by Romain Inspired by Josh Muir - These incredibly colourful and vibrant works are the third post in this series, part of an ongoing exchange between classes in Paris, France and Melbourne, Australia. These were inspired by…
  • Portraits inspired by Julie Dowling - These beautiful portraits by the CM1 (4th grade) students at École Saint Joseph, Paris are inspired by artist Julie Dowling, a Badimaya First Nation woman. They were created as part…
  • Elisa's Self-Portrait Self-portraits from École Saint Joseph, Paris - These stunning self-portraits were created by young artists in grades 3-5 (ages 8-10 years old) from the École Saint Joseph Paris in France. Taught by art teacher Tracy Mead in…
  • Paintings on “Water” from St. John School – in honor of Joan Passalacqua - View this year's watercolors on the theme of “Water” from Maeve’s first grade class at St. John School in Healdsburg, California, United States. These artworks have been painted in honor…
  • “Peace” Watercolors from our First Graders at St. John School - View these beautiful watercolors on the theme of "Peace" from Maeve's first grade class at St. John School in Healdsburg, California, United States.
  • Featured Artist: Ilja Senn - This month we are featuring Ilja Senn's beautiful acrylic painting, Barn on a Field. Barn on a Field, Ilja Senn, Acrylic, 2019.