David and Renate Jakupca founded The International Center for Environmental Arts (ICEA) in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1987 to meet the needs of ordinary citizens for access to current information about complex global issues. ICEA has gained a reputation for excellence, based upon a unique library of specialized information of global importance and a wide range of imaginative programming and collaborations with other organizations. With affiliates across the globe, the ICEA supports research, information sharing, and effective action promoting a sustainable culture of peace.

Examples of their projects include building an environmentally sustainable home and eco-museum, the ARK in Berea, in which they live and welcome visitors, and creation of the World’s Children Peace Monument, which is the first sculpture for the “Great American Peace Trail”, a coast-to-coast trail of peace stones in city parks that seek to end violence in America’s youth.

Dr. Renate Jakupca was presented the world’s first Doctorate in Environmental Arts and Peace Sciences on September 11, 2016. She is recognized for her practical study on the aesthetics of the relationship between humans and their environment through arts and culture, ultimately promoting an effective sustainable global culture of peace between all living things – human, plant and wildlife kingdoms.

David Jakupca is officially credited with being the spiritual father of the environmental art movement by a number of organizations including the United Nations, Earth Island Institute, and Time Magazine. His paintings and sculptures have been critically acclaimed around the world. In 1996 his Endangered Spaces art traveling exhibit was showcased at the United Nations World Conference on Cities – HABITAT II in Istanbul, Turkey.