Dove for Peace
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Creating a dove for peace is a powerful project for the art classroom. It combines history, symbolism, and making in a way that feels both meaningful and relevant. The dove has long been recognised as a universal symbol of peace, from ancient traditions to Picasso’s iconic drawings after World War II. By inviting students to design and create their own doves, you encourage them to engage with this history while exploring the importance of symbols in visual culture.
This project also offers a gentle but significant way to connect with today’s turbulent world events. Through their work, students can reflect on the value of peace, the impact of conflict, and how art can communicate hope and resilience across generations. Not only is this a rich creative task, but it also develops critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of art’s role in shaping society.
It also makes an ideal activity for commemorative days. In the UK, it is well-suited to Remembrance Day (11th November), while in Australia it can support learning around Anzac Day (25th April) and Remembrance Day. In the United States, it connects meaningfully with Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Veterans Day (11th November). Marking these occasions through art provides students with an opportunity to reflect on the past, honour those affected by conflict, and express hope for peace in the future.
This download includes:
- The 16-slide PowerPoint (picture above), which introduces war art, symbolism in art, specifically looking at barbed wire and doves in art, and then includes step-by-step guidance on how to make a wire dove with barbs.
- A Google Slides view-only link for quick, browser-based use (perfect for Chromebooks)
- The script is below each slide in the PowerPoint, but also included as a printable document.
- A dove template
- A one-page extension tasks handout that includes 3 varied tasks designed to keep those early finishers occupied and engaged.
Materials Required: Wire cutters, safety googles, 275cm of soft aluminium wire per student. I used this aluminium wire from Amazon.co.uk and it’s also available on Amazon.com #Ad
Duration: Allow 2 x 1hr lessons. This will depend on the age and ability of your students.
Please note, this download does not include a lesson plan as everything you need is in the presentation.
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