Case Study: “Peace Rose” — From Transitional Space to Sacred Center
Project Type: Large-scale original painting
Title: “Peace Rose”
Dimensions: 18 ft x 6 ft x 3 inches / 5.48 meters x 1.82 meters x 7.62cm
Medium: Water Soluble wax paint and 24k gold leaf on wood panels.
Artist: Yohanna Jessup
Commission Year: 2022
OVERVIEW
In a bustling urban meditation center in Berkeley, California, the communal space lacked a sense of cohesion. Though frequented by a vibrant community of meditators, instructors, and volunteers, the lounge area remained underutilized—a transitional space rather than a gathering place. The center invited artist Yohanna Jessup to create a piece that would anchor the space and reflect the center’s deeper values of peace, unity, and connection.
THE VISION
As the Facilities Manager and coordinator shared:
“We didn’t have a focal point. People milled around. We wanted something that could draw people in—a centerpiece. Something to carry the spirit of the center’s community into the future.”
Peace Rose was envisioned as a timeless presence—an energetic anchor that would center the room and the people within it. Inspired by themes of unity and transcendence, the artwork was created on-site over several weeks. The process itself became a living part of the community.
TRANSFORMATIVE ART
Before the installation,the meeting space felt like a “collection of mismatched elements rather than a cohesive whole.”
Afterward?
“Somehow the space came to life. There was a different vibe. It took the space into the extraordinary.”
The artwork changed the area into a vibrant hub. Meetings were held there. New and returning students found themselves drawn to it. The artwork transformed the area into a place of stillness, creativity, and connection. Even when the room was physically cluttered, the painting gave it clarity.
“It’s a grounding point. It interacts with consciousness. It helps people center themselves.”
BEFORE
AFTER
COMMUNITY CENTERED CREATION
A hallmark of the Archetype & Hourglass approach is integrating community engagement into the creative process. Throughout the project:
- Volunteers helped construct, paint the frame for the painting and install the painting.
- Weekly updates and talks were given during select meditation classes.
- A final unveiling included a talk by the artist and a group meditation practice.
This participation fostered deep ownership and pride in the piece, making Peace Rose not just art for the community, but art of the community.
This collaborative energy made the artwork not just a finished product, but a shared experience. The act of creation itself became part of the transformation.
“People got invested. That’s part of what gave the painting its power.”
LEGACY & IMPACT
Years later, the painting continues to resonate:
- It has become a “wow” moment for visitors, including international students who come specifically to see it.
- It offers a sense of presence and quiet beauty that elevates the space.
- It fosters connection—not only visually, but emotionally and energetically.
As the former manager shared:
“Even now, when I visit as a guest, people tune into it. It’s a piece that brings people into themselves and into the space.”
A MESSAGE TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
“Do it. Don’t even think about it.
It will transform your space—and your community.”
Peace Rose is an example of how art can function not just as décor, but as energetic architecture: shaping the identity of a space, amplifying its mission, and inspiring those who walk through its doors.
