The Wear Orange Community Art Project is an annual creative initiative that invites students, educators, families, and community members in Mercer County, New Jersey to reflect on a simple question through art.
For educators, the project is designed to fit easily into existing art curricula while giving students an opportunity to have their work celebrated in a public exhibition.
In 2026, students and community members in Mercer County, NJ were invited to respond to the question: "What does a safe community look like to you?"
The project was organized by Mercer County Moms Demand Action in partnership with local schools and community leaders.
Hope can be found anywhere—in people, nature, friendships, community, acts of kindness, dreams for the future, or moments of everyday joy.
Participants are invited to interpret the theme in any way they choose.
Selected artwork will be featured in a virtual exhibition during National Gun Violence Awareness Month (June), with opportunities for additional community exhibitions.
The project encourages participants to:
explore creativity and self-expression
reflect on hope and community
connect classroom learning with civic engagement
contribute to a public art exhibition
celebrate diverse perspectives
Rather than focusing on tragedy, the project centers on the people, places, and values that help create safer, stronger communities.
Participation is open to:
Schools at all levels
Homeschool groups
Libraries
Community organizations
Individual community members
Artwork should:
Be created in response to the theme "What gives you hope?"
Be original work, created without the use of generative AI
Be created on 8×10-inch heavy paper, poster board, canvas panel, or similar sturdy surface
Use any medium (drawing, painting, collage, digital, photography, writing)
Submitted via online form (uploaded as a JPEG or PNG, along with artist name, grade, school name, title, and 2-3 sentences about the artwork)
Schools are encouraged to select representative artwork from each participating classroom or grade level.
This allows every school to celebrate student creativity while keeping the selection process simple.
The emphasis is on celebrating participation rather than competition.
February: registration opens
May: submissions due
June: virtual gallery launches during National Gun Violence Awareness Month
We welcome partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, and educators interested in bringing this project to their communities.
Get on our list to stay in the loop about the project, upcoming dates, and more!