Lawrence artist KT Walsh is pictured before a community mural she created with guests from the Lawrence Community Shelter and other organizers, which is set along the side of a semi trailer behind the building. Walsh was honored by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace & Justice with an award for her efforts to further peace and justice in Lawrence through her art.

On a rainy evening in Lawrence, the atmosphere inside the Lawrence Union Pacific Depot was anything but gloomy. Those inside were in the mood for celebrating peace. Even as trains thundered by less than 10 yards away, the mood could not be dampened.

Nearly 50 people, all donning colorful peace beads, came out Thursday to celebrate the winners of the Tom and Anne Moore Peace and Justice Award given by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice.

This year’s recipients: Centro Hispano, for the organization award, and KT Walsh for the individual award.

The celebration started with reggae band Street Level Uprising taking the stage as guests chatted, snacked and danced. Fittingly, the band performed songs that promoted peace and unity across the globe.

After the performance, Walsh was introduced by members of the LCPJ who praised her efforts in peace and justice around the community.

They spoke of her work as a board member of the East Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods saying she “keeps a vigilant and benevolent eye on our neighborhoods.”

Beyond her work in her neighborhood, Walsh was also a co-founder of the Percolator, a generator of artistic expression for peace and justice issues.

She has also made great contributions to the Lawrence Community Shelter. This year, Walsh led residents and guests of the shelter in constructing a mural for the dining room of the shelter that features many inspirational quotes.

Walsh also recently finished painting a 25-foot-long mural to fit the side of a semi-trailer truck installed on the premises of the community shelter. The mural features the dangers of homelessness, the promise offered by the Center and the success achieved by its clients.

“It’s just beautiful,” said Christine Smith, coordinator of the LCPJ. “She did a great job in capturing the different facets of homelessness.”

In accepting her award, Walsh talked about how the Vietnam war encouraged her to fight for peace as a young girl. However, Walsh quickly turned the attention away from herself and encouraged those in attendance to continue fighting for peace and justice in the community.

In regard to receiving the award, Walsh was exceptionally modest.

“I truly feel humbled and honored,” Walsh said. “I never would have expected this.”