The origin of Unity Through Creativity began with the lives of Stanley and Alice Marshall. These two remarkable people believed in the power of individual creativity and intelligent community to make the world a more compassionate, smarter place. Their youngest daughter, Laurie Marshall, translated the values of her parents into project-based learning, works of art and institution- building.
Unity Through Creativity officially started in 2001, but unofficially, it has been doing work for over 30 years. Every year, the organization has been creating amazing projects simply by power of will and sacrifices of hundreds of people. Most of effort was done on a volunteering basis, with minimum funds, but maximum impact. The hearts were touched, the minds were opened, new solutions to pressing problems within communities were envisioned.
“I Myself am That” mural painted by UTC in McKees Rocks, PA, transforming a crack-infested parking a lot. “Every day I drive by this mural, my spirit is lifted. I feel hope.” McKees Rocks resident
“Consensus Building Through Art” created with 45 employees from 5 departments in the Department of Interior
“All of us working in our five separate departments never realized that we shared a mission – clean water. We were shocked that UTC’s creative process simultaneously revealed both a vision of each department’s special mission as well as that which unites us.” Engineer, Department of Mines and Mineral Management.
Organizations Proudly Served:
NASA,The Department of Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Botanic Gardens, UNICEF, the city of Denver, the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Natural History (NYC), the Smithsonian Institution, the Virginia Museum, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the Pennsylvania Commission of the Arts, hospices, hospitals, foster homes and schools
Countries Involved:
Afganistan, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Laos, China, Mexico, Nicaragua, Palestine, Peru, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Cambodia, Germany, USA
Our University Connections:
Seton Hill University (PA), Indiana University (PA), University of Pittsburgh (PA), Carnegie Mellon University (PA), Robert Morris University,(PA) and Dominican University (CA), Rudolf Steiner College.
Focus Communities:
The Bay Area of San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our projects connect us from these hubs throughout the world.
