The Peace Builders of P.S. 119, 
The Magnet School of Global and Ethical Studies, 
The FUNDRED Project

Curated by Hawley Hussey
EXHIBITED AT www.gallerythe.org
June 17 through September 21, 2009
Work by: 
P.S. 119 The Magnet School of Global and Ethical Studies

During the summer of 2008 I heard the artist Mel Chin speak about his work.  
I was deeply affected by his FUNDRED dollar bill project to benefit the 
Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.  I have family and friends that are affected 
to this day by Katrina.  I wanted to get involved!  As the Director of Education 
for BRIC Contemporary Art I felt Mel’s project had created an opportunity to 
teach students about art as activism and art as a form of citizenship.  I 
presented the opportunity to Principal Lisa Fernandez and Assistant Principal 
Barbara Snow at PS 119, The Magnet School for Global and Ethical Studies.  
I was directed by the school to work with 5-305 the Eagle Class at 119.  As 
the children embraced the project I overheard them talking to their friends 
about the project and they began to ask me for more fundred templates to do 
with their friends and families.  I gave out over 100 fundreds to class 305 
before Thanksgiving holiday.  I was amazed when all of the students returned 
over 100 completed fundred templates!  I decided to create a Peer to Peer 
teaching opportunity for the Eagle Class.  They embraced the idea and went on 
to teach all of their peers which included over 450 students and many adults.  
They went on to train adults at the Brooklyn Museum in an effort to get the 
word out and to raise 6,000 fundreds to become an official pick up site for 
Mel’s project.  During this exciting year they became artists, activists and 
among the most inspired people I have met in years.  Now we are prepping the 
4th graders who are about to enter 5th grade to carry on and hit our goal!  If 
you would like to be a part of our exciting learning mission download your 
templates and mail the finished fundred to:

PS 119
Att: Lisa Fernandez
3829 Avenue K
Brooklyn, NY 11210