Novica.com, the popular international gifts and home decor web site affiliated with National Geographic, announced the launch of its new Peace on Earth division, featuring a "Paintings for Peace" exhibit and hundreds of peace-themed gifts and home decor offerings, created by artists and artisans worldwide.

More than 80 Thai master artisans and artists, 50 from Chiang Mai alone, immediately contributed with enthusiasm to this project. Proud to share with the world their own vision of peace, ceramists, jewelers, wood carvers, painters, weavers etc, set to craft creative works of arts with Thai and Lanna flairs.

Launched at the behest of artists and artisans around the world, Novica's peace project is believed to be the largest of its kind, bridging races, cultures, religions, and continents.

"So many artists around the world began submitting peace-themed art that we finally decided to launch a World Peace division of Novica," said Roberto Milk, co-founder of Novica.com. He said the positive response has been overwhelming, from artisans and customers alike.

"Novica's goal remains, as always, to dramatically improve the lives of more and more artisans in developing nations each year, while actively working to help preserve traditional cultures and skills," Milk said. "Now, with Novica's new Peace on Earth division, we're able to provide a specific exhibit and retail space for our many artists around the world who have been inspired to create peace-themed works of art."

Novica, in association with National Geographic, is headquartered in Los Angeles, with seven regional offices in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Founded five years ago, Novica recently expanded to represent more than 10,000 international artists and artisans, including 2,000 master artists. It is the largest Web site of its kind in the world, offering more than 20,000 limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts and home decor items. Unlike traditional retail channels, Novica works directly with artists and artisans through its seven international offices.