San Jose, California
Arena Green West
Corner of Barack Obama Blvd and W Santa Clara Street
A Civic Gateway Anchored by Art, Sport, and Community
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The location of the Peace Monument, Arena Green West, is more than an open space. Located at the corner of Barack Obama Boulevard and West Santa Clara Street, directly across from the SAP Center, it stands at the vibrant crossroads of culture, entertainment, and civic life. With natural sightlines, accessible paths, and an intimate amphitheater, the site offers an ideal setting for reflection, public gatherings, and performances.​​
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Stay tuned for more details on partnerships and activation of the site, including the Starting Arts’ new Shared Arts Space on N. Almaden Boulevard at Sharks Way. The natural amphitheater at Arena Green West will host performances, educational programs, and public events led by local arts organizations. The Peace Monument will serve as a striking visual and symbolic backdrop, linking creative expression with civic purpose and transforming the landscape into a living canvas for San José’s cultural identity, grounded in peace, empathy, and belonging.​
A Statement from
Diane Brandenburg
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Upon waking one Sunday morning in 2024, a seed of thought reached out and asked: “What can I—we—do to stop war?” And when our individual conscience is awakened, what do we do with it?
What kind of world are we bringing our children into? Are we raising our sons and daughters to be ready to fight—and die—for the defense of our country?
A statement I once read by the late, great anthropologist Margaret Mead came to mind: “When are we going to devise a system that creates peace instead of war?” That was the seed thought. And it began to grow.
San José has grown from its grassroots beginnings into what it is today known throughout the world as Silicon Valley. Once called the Valley of Heart’s Delight, it has always carried a spirit of abundance and possibility.
So why can’t this city, with all it represents, be the one to start a Peace Movement? And how can we bring this thought to life? That is what the Seed of Peace Movement can stand for. A movement that can grow, expanding from our city to others, and then to the world.
The City of San José, California, is standing up and declaring: “We want peace, not war.” And now, a monument is being planted at the grassroots level, from where it can grow—seeds of peace.​
Diane Brandenburg's Vision & Gift
Diane Brandenburg has long helped shape the heart of San José through her vision and generosity. Her leadership and philanthropy have strengthened the city’s cultural and civic life, from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library and the Children’s Discovery Museum to numerous local initiatives that nurture learning, creativity, and connection.
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The value of giving back was instilled early in Diane’s life by her parents, a doctor and a nurse, who taught her that generosity is one of life’s true accomplishments. She has carried that spirit forward through her deep commitment to children, education, and the arts, supporting organizations that create opportunity and foster compassion both locally and globally.
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Guided by her grandfather’s words, “Always do your best, and then do a little better,” Diane reminds others,
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“If you see something that would make a difference, don’t just talk about it. Get up and do something. One drop of water combined with others can make a pond.”
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The Peace Monument is a reflection of that belief, a private gift to the City of San José created to inspire unity, understanding, and peace across generations.
Community Partners
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Project Lead Partner
Rotary Club of San José
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Other Community Partners
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
Jamestown
Little Italy San Jose / Josh DeVincenzi Melander
Sharks Sports and Entertainment Group
Local Artists, Educators, and Civic & Cultural Leaders​​
Symbolism
The Seeds Of Peace Monument features a central figure holding a dove and olive branch, surrounded by seven figures—six children representing each inhabited continent and a penguin for Antarctica—symbolizing a global call to peace. The monument incorporates cultural symbols from around the world, forming a powerful expression of shared humanity. It will also include educational elements and spaces designed for public engagement.
Mission
“When will we learn to create peace as effectively as we create war?” — Margaret Mead
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​Inspired by this powerful question, philanthropist Diane Brandenburg envisioned a monument that would speak to the urgent need for peace in our time, a bold reminder that building a more peaceful world begins in our own communities. That vision has been brought to life by renowned sculptor Mario Chiodo, whose design calls us to action through powerful imagery and universal themes of unity, justice, and shared responsibility.
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In a time marked by global unrest, deepening divisions, and rising anxiety among young people, the Seeds of Peace Monument offers a timely and transformative vision. It calls us to remember our shared humanity, and to choose peace not as a passive hope, but as a collective responsibility.
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This monument is a beacon of hope. It calls us to elevate peace as a conscious choice and a community value, something we nurture, celebrate, and pass on. This is not just another public artwork. It is a legacy project. A symbol for future generations. A place to gather, remember, learn, and grow.
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San José is the heart of Silicon Valley, known for innovation, diversity, and forward-thinking leadership. It is a city that has long valued civic art and public space as tools for connection and dialogue. With its rich multicultural heritage and its role as a global hub of ideas, San José is uniquely positioned to host a monument that speaks not only to one city, but to the world.
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Located at the confluence of natural beauty and civic engagement, the Seeds of Peace Monument will find its home in a setting where past, present, and future intersect. In San José, we are planting a seed of hope in fertile ground, where the message of peace can be amplified, embraced, and shared for generations to come.
