Common Read

1,000 Peace Crane Project

Japanese legend promises that a wish will be granted to anyone who folds 1,000 origami peace cranes. We invite the campus and community to be part of the 1,000 Peace Crane Project. Folding origami cranes allows each of us to visually reflect on our own wishes for the future, and installing the completed cranes across campus provides an opportunity for everyone to share in the peace and prosperity they represent.

How Can I Participate?

Read When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, to learn about the forced migration of American citizens to internment camps during WWII. The book has an image of an origami peace crane on the cover. This symbol has captivated our attention as a device to engage students, faculty, staff, and the greater community.

Foldorigami peace cranes as a symbolic gesture of coming to peace with our past. Messages of peace may be written on your paper before folding it into a peace crane. Like birds, together we will migrate to a prosperous future.

Submit your peace cranes to our collections in the Memorial Library and in the Centennial Student Union Student Activities office. An art class will use the collected cranes to create art installations across campus during fall semester 2016.

Peace crane Peace Crane Folding Instructions(visual sheet)

Peace crane assembly instructions (video)

Get Involved

View thisvideoand keep your eyes open for fun peace crane assembly events across campus.

Tag us! #MaverickMigration We want to be a part of your experience! Tag us when you attend events and when you read a section of the book with which you identify.

Peace Crane Team Building Session

The Common Read committee offeredg team building sessions for departments and offices throughout fall semester. Peace Crane Team Building sessions included all materials, were done across campus, and were completed in 25-30 minutes. The completed peace cranes were added to the campus collection that was installed around campus. Sign up has now ended. This was limited to the first 10 requests.

Places to Make Cranes Throughout Campus and the Community

Drop-In Origami Crane Folding

Wednesday, September 7-30, 2016 - During open gallery hours

CSU Art Gallery - lower level near Hearth Lounge

During the Art faculty exhibition there will be a table in the Centennial Student Union Gallery for making origami peace cranes. Everyone is welcome to drop in and use the materials. Paper and crane examples will be there as well as place to keep completed cranes. All cranes will go into the campus-wide installations as part of the 1000 Peace Crane Project!

Previous Crane Folding Events

Origami Peace Crane Party with LEEP

Friday, September 23, 2016 - 6:30-8:00 pm

LEEP (Leisure Education for Exceptional People) (929 North 4th Street, Mankato)

Minnesota State University, Mankato Common Read is partnering with Mankato's LEEPprogram.Everyone is welcome to this free event and students can sign up onCEO Portal of OrgSync.Photos will be taken and tagged #MaverickMigration.

Coffee & Cranes

Saturday, September 17, 2016 - 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Tandem Bagels (200 East Walnut Street, Mankato)

Come down to Tandem Bagels as we enjoy the company of the community while making peace cranes. Free coffee for the first 25 students who make peace cranes. Please be environmentally conscious by bringing your own mug. Photos will be taken and tagged #MaverickMigration. Students can sign up for this event by visiting theCEO portal on OrgSync.

Origami Crane Making Parties

Thursday, September 8th - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, September 9th - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monday September 12th - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 15th - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Hosted at The Fillin' Station Coffee House, 630 South Front Street, Mankato

Come learn to make origami peace cranes. Free event for students and community members to come together to take part in the 1000 Peace Crane Project. Everyone is welcome. Materials will be provided.

Peace Crane Making at Sibley Park Clean-Up

Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

In conjunction with the annual Sibley Park Clean Up, Community Engagement presents the opportunity to make peace cranes before the cleanup, and as part of the service reflection. Students can sign up for this event by visiting theCEO portal on OrgSync. Photos will be taken and tagged #MaverickMigration. In addition to making peace cranes, volunteers will spend time supporting Sibley Park by adding mulch, picking up trash, and completing other projects to contribute to our community.

MSU Mall in Front of Armstrong Hall

Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Join us on the mall in front of Armstrong Hall as we assemble peace cranes. Write a message of peace, hope, or love on your paper. Fold your paper into a peace crane or add it to the collection to make a large peace crane. Photos will be taken and tagged #MaverickMigration.

Can't make it or can't stay? Make your own cranes and drop them at the collection points in Memorial Library or Student Activities. We need your peace cranes and messages by October 1. If if is raining...join us in the Memorial Library.

Campus Kitchen/Campus Cupboard Open House

Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

In conjunction with Campus Kitchen/Campus Cupboard Open House and Free Farmers Market, student volunteers will make peace cranes at the information table. Before you take your tour or pick up your free veggies, stop by the information table and make a peace crane with us. Photos will be taken and tagged #MaverickMigration. All the festivities will be at Crossroads Campus Ministry, 331 Dillon Avenue, across the street from Trafton and adjacent to the Performing Arts Center.

Blue Earth County Historical Society

Wednesday, June 29, 2016- 11:30 a.m.

Take part in the 1,000 Peace Crane community-engaged art project at 11:30 a.m. in the Blue Earth County Historical Society. The MSU Community Engagement office will join Common Read for this origami project held in conjunction with "When Home Won't Let You Stay," a traveling photography exhibit by James A. Bowey.