Art spotlight: Art for peace

Friday and Saturday: Everyone wants peace in the world, but most of us don't do much to further it. The Nonviolent Peaceforce takes action by training civilians to build bridges between warring factions and trying to reduce violence, protect the vulnerable and create quiet spaces to nurture peace. In support of its work, Twin Cities artist Nell Hillsley and about 20 artist friends have donated landscape photos, floral watercolors, abstract paintings, sketches and other art for a benefit sale. Donor Emily Wallis' image of a bunny in snow is shown here. Proceeds support peace workers in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, the South Caucasus and training initiatives at the United Nations. Art can be previewed at www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/artwork-display.

Opening Friday: Ten years ago, the United States flung its military into the mountains of Afghanistan, an unforgiving terrain known as the "graveyard of empires." Our soldiers slog on despite an ever-rising load of damaged lives and body bags. Are we state-siders paying attention to their sacrifice? Or are they out of sight and out of mind? The latter, think photographers Monica Haller, who helps vets produce books of photos and writing about their service, and Terri Fullerton, who has organized a display she calls "Falling in Love at the End of the Universe." The veterans' books are inevitably as moving as they are gritty. This show will be, too. Salute. And check it out.