OUR STORY

Creativity

Back in 2007, after launching a social networking site for creatives called TheWhole9.com, we opened The Whole Gallery in Culver City's Arts District, launched The Peace Project, and got to work.

Community Action

Since then, The Peace Project has inspired tens of thousands of artists, donors, corporations, service businesses, art patrons and others in 70 countries on six continents to donate art, money, resources and time which have helped The Peace Project transform tens of thousands of lives in West Africa, the Philippines, the Middle East, and right here in the United States.

Transformation

When COVID hit in 2020, we quickly converted The Whole 9 Gallery into a food distribution site and sent a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of food home with our neighbors. This inspired us to transform the gallery into Gratitude Market where we sold artisanal goods and specialty foods from around the world — all with one purpose — to build community, spread love, and positively touch as people as we can locally and worldwide.

Heartbreak & Hope

It became necessary to find a new way forward after losing our lease in Culver City in early 2024. This loss coincided with the genocide in Gaza and forced Lisa Schultz, who had been working in Gaza and the West Bank, to ask "What can I do?" The answer was to create a gathering space where the seeds of Palestinian arts & culture could be sown even as it was being brutally destroyed -- a place where all who believe in freedom, justice and equal rights could gather to learn, share, heal and grow.

Thus, Holy Ground was born on the anniversary of October 7 in a building we renovated in West Adams -- a testament to what can bloom when you lead with love and commitment to a better world for everyone.

 

We're now fully open, sharing a wide range of offerings including healing events, workshops, screenings, provocative discussions and more.

 

Everyone is welcome.

 

Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.

~~Arundhati Roy