These colorful pianos around Atlanta are here to help build peace

ATLANTA — Pianos For Peace has launched its first annual outdoor festival and community arts program with a public unveiling of 29 painted pianos.

The festival began on Sept. 3 and will continue through Sept. 18.

The collection of donated pianos has been hand-painted by local and international artists, including Mia Stone, Allen London and Catalina Gomez-Beuth. After the two-week festival, the colorful pianos will be donated to schools, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, community centers and other organizations in need.

The event will feature local musicians, artists, photographers and filmmakers. The public will have a chance to see, play and enjoy the Pianos for Peace between Sept. 3 and 18 when they will be on display in public parks and high-traffic locations throughout metro Atlanta.

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The 29 Pianos for Peace locations include the following non-profit partners: Fox Theatre, Avalon, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlantic Station, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, The Forum in Peachtree Corners, and MARTA stations. A full list of 29 locations is at www.PianosForPeace.org

Recipients of the pianos will include Atlanta Public Schools and nursing homes.

Malek Jandali, founder and CEO of Pianos For Peace, says the goal of the festival is to use music to unite. A classical composer and part-time Atlanta resident, Jandali, a Syrian transplant has seen the effects of war. Now he wants to use what he calls the “soft power” of his art to bring about a solution.

Free Pianos for Peace App

The free Pianos for Peace App is available to download for both

and

. The app maximizes people’s interaction with all Pianos for Peace, creating new opportunities for social engagement around the artist-designed instruments. Each piano has its own page in the app, which includes photos, location details, the artist’s bio and design.

About Pianos for Peace

Pianos for Peace is non-profit provides meaningful arts programs to underserved communities and organizations in need across metro Atlanta. Through the volunteer service of dedicated artists, musicians, painters, filmmakers, students and more – Pianos for Peace transforms lives by bringing the soft power of music and the arts to those who need it most. More information can be found at www.PianosForPeace.org

Cox Media Group