The Dream Rocket aims to connect art and education through a global collaborative initiative. It will inspire participants to consider, express, and explore their dreams for a better future using Dream Themes such as Energy, Space, Peace, Science, Recycling, etc. The Wrapping of the Saturn V Rocket will recognize the power of global collaboration, and in turn, The Dream Rocket hopes to inspire individuals all over the World not only to dream, but also to recognize their power to pursue their dreams.
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced the U.S. intention of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.” Just over eight years after President Kennedy’s announcement, the earth sat spellbound as they viewed a ghostly, blurred, black and white image of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon and declaring, “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” The wrapping with art from around the world of the 37 story tall Saturn V Rocket replica standing at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama has been rescheduled to now coincide with the 50th anniversary of JFK’s lofty challenge. The “Dream Rocket” project, in response to individuals and teachers who would like to participate, has now provided additional time for that opportunity.
In May and June 2011, the “Saturn V Moon Rocket” is to be transformed into the world’s largest collaborative art project. Powerful both in message and scale, it will represent the challenges of our future. “The Saturn V Moon Rocket is an inspiring and tangible reminder that when people work together through collaboration, any challenge can be met, any mission can be accomplished, and any dream can come true.” Says Professor Jennifer Marsh, founder of the Dream Rocket project.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist with The American Museum of Natural History in New York, and Director of its famed Hayden Planetarium, is an internationally known science advocate. He encouraged Marsh to incorporate the dream symbolism into the project because, "The Saturn V is the IDEAL icon to represent a big dream. This rocket was designed and built as a collaboration of NEARLY half- a-million people and allowed our human species to venture beyond our WORLD and stand on ANOTHER - SURELY one of the biggest dreams of all time. ENABLING THE DREAMS OF young people to touch this mighty rocket sends a powerful message." Tyson is one of many space enthusiasts who has offered his support to the Dream Rocket project.
Marsh explains, “The wrapping of the Saturn V Rocket will consist of over 8000 fabric and mixed media panels representing dreams for our future and visionaries of our past. Schools, groups, and individuals from all over the world have been joining in this project for the past six months.” So far, Marsh believes they have participants from an estimated 37 states and a dozen countries such
as Bangladesh, Kenya, Serbia, Finland, Australia, Norway, Haiti, and Germany. The Dream Rocket’s goal is to gain participants from 100 countries and all 50 states. Participants are encouraged to ask themselves, “What is my dream for a better tomorrow?” Some of the Dream Theme panels already received depict energy, imagination, conservation, and peace. Others depict community, health, space, and fighting hunger. They have been submitted by schools, churches, groups, and individuals-even from grandchildren through the generosity of grandparents.
Recently the Menomonie News Bureau wrote about a school group creating their panel; “Mara DuVernois, a fifth-grader at River Heights, hopes to see tobacco smoking end to improve people’s health. She created a square with a no-smoking sign. “I don’t want to smoke” the 10 year-old said.”I don’t want anyone else to. There are 400,000 deaths each year from smoking-related products. Nicole Herdahl, 10, also a fifth-grader at River Heights, used fabric markers to color her cloth square with a red cross, a symbol of medical care for all people in the future. “I know not everyone has a hospital to go to and have health care,” she said. “I want the world to have that.”
From now until the wrapping begins, exhibits of selected panels are being scheduled to provide diverse venues for the panels to be 
seen. Currently on the list are Educational Gallery Group(Eg2),West Palm Beach, FL; Great Explorations Childrens Museum , St. Petersburg, FL; Mulberry Street Library, New York, NY; Warren Co. Public Library, Bowling Green, KY; Central Library, Conroe, TX; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, San Jose, CA; Randolph School, Huntsville, AL; New Britain Public Library, New Britain, CT; Earlyworks Childrens Museum, Huntsville, AL; and the Eclipse Gallery, Algoma, WI. Any additional venues and dates can be found on the Dream Rocket website. After the 60-day wrapping of the moon rocket in May and June 2011, a three year museum tour is currently being scheduled.
About The International Fiber Collaborative (IFC)
The International Fiber Collaborative (IFC) was founded in 2007 by artist Jennifer Marsh. It is a non-profit organization that
promotes global collaborative public art initiatives, a marriage of art & education. The IFC prides itself in being a grassroots organization, reaching out to students, individuals, groups and organizations all over the world.
The IFC has accomplished two widely acclaimed projects. The first one being the Gas Station Wrap in 2008 in Syracuse, New York. The submitted artwork for this project came from students and individuals from 15 countries and 28 states. The Gas Station Wrap was the first of its kind and spurred international attention both through press and participants.
The second project was the InterdependenceTree project in 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama. With every project the IFC grows, as does worldwide interest. Participants in the Tree project increased to 23 countries and 39 states. The International Fiber Collaborative is extremely pleased to be working on its 2010-2011 project.
www.internationalfibercollaborative.com
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