Deadline for Submissions is May 15, 2026
The Red Mill Museum Village and the Hunterdon Art Museum invite community members to participate in the Mill to Mill Peace Flag Project, a public art display of handmade peace flags that will be displayed as a shared expression of hope, unity and goodwill. Community members are asked to create peace flags that will be displayed together outside the two museums. Inspired by traditional prayer flags, each piece reflects the maker’s personal interpretation of the question:
“What does peace look like to you?”
Through symbols, colors, words, images or textures, every flag becomes a message of peace carried outward into the world.
Create in Community
Attend one of the Flag Making events being planned by both the Hunterdon Art Museum and the Red Mill Museum Village throughout spring 2026 where all materials will be provided.
Organize a group or club you are part of to create flags together, or work independently or with friends to create your own peace flag.
How to Make a Peace Flag
Each flag begins with a 9-inch square of natural fabric—materials like cotton muslin, linen or wool are ideal. To prepare your fabric:
- Cut your fabric to 9” wide x 10.25” tall
- Fold down the top 1.25” to create a 1” channel.
- Sew the fold in place.
This channel allows the flags to be strung together like bunting. - Traditional peace flags often have raw edges, allowing them to gently fray as they weather. If you prefer finished edges, you may add seam allowance or use binding.
Decoration & Design
Your peace flag can be expressed in any textile or fiber art method, including:
- Fabric markers, painting, stamping or natural dyes
- Embroidery, quilting, needlework, applique
- Weaving, knitting, crocheting
- Adding natural materials and embellishments that can be safely returned to the earth
Important:
Because the flags will hang outdoors and may eventually release fibers into the environment, only natural materials should be used. Please avoid glues (including hot glue), staples, plastics, synthetics and chemical inks.
Use natural threads and non-toxic, water-based dyes and paints whenever possible.
Guiding Principle:
Do not use anything you would not want in your river or drinking water.
Meaning & Purpose
Peace flags are intended to weather and change over time. As sun, wind, and rain touch them, their fibers slowly soften and fray. This natural aging symbolizes the release of the intentions, blessings, and prayers embedded in the making.
The project carries three core values:
- Sharing Intentions: The wind helps carry our hopes for peace to all beings.
- Reflection: Making a flag is a moment to consider what peace means personally and collectively.
- Unity: When hung together, the flags create a visible expression of community harmony—many voices aligned toward peace.
- The Mill to Mill Peace Flag Project emphasizes craft, community and care for the land and river. Each flag becomes part of a larger conversation about peace—rooted in handwork, shared space and the natural world.
How to Enter
By Mail: Complete the digital entry form and include a copy of the confirmation email with your flag submission.
and mail it, along with your flag(s) to: Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton, NJ 08809 ATTN: Peace Flags by May 15, 2026
OR Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main St, Clinton, NJ 08809 ATTN: Peace Flags by May 15, 2026
OR hand deliver your work to the either museum during open hours
Reproduction
The Hunterdon Art Museum and the Red Mill Museum Village reserve the right to reproduce any work accepted for the display for use in marketing and public relations efforts.
Return
The Peace Flag Project is ephemeral in nature. Work will be on view from June through August of 2026 and will naturally weather or deteriorate due to the outdoor location of the display. Flags submitted to the project will become the property of the museums and will not be returned to the makers/artists.
Calendar
Deadline for Submissions…………………………………………………..May 15, 2026
Installation of Flags……………………………………………………………June 1 – 12
Display Opens to Public……………………………………………………..June 14
Exhibition/Viewing Dates……………………………………………………June 14 to August 30
Deinstallation……………………………………………………………………August 31 – September 1, 2026
For more information contact [email protected] or visit our websites: www.hunterdonartmuseum.org or https://theredmill.org/