Community Art Projects
One thing that’s really important to me is that the art is happening with the community and not to it, or necessarily even for it.
Here are a few public art projects co-created with community members and supported by community orgs. If you’d like to know more about each project, click the photos to learn more.
千絲萬縷 Tied Together by A Thousand Threads
This project was organized by youth at Asian Community Development Corporation in Boston’s Chinatown, and the mural was conceptualized by Chinatown resident Yvonne Ng. My role as the community artist was to translate Ng’s ideas into a painted mural. Chinatown youth, as well as community members, helped paint the mural.
Co-created with Yvonne Ng, A-Voyce Youth
Painting Assist: A-Voyce Youth, Vivian Ho
Partner Organization: Asian Community Development Corporation
Experience Chinatown: Lion Resistance
Experience Chinatown is a project of BCNC’s Pao Arts Center. Learn more about Experience Chinatown 2021.
You can also support Q Restaurant by eating there!
Painting Assist: Laura Le, Vivian Ho.
Installation Assist: Tuk Tak Studios.
Photograph: Mel Taing
Partner Organization: BCNC’s Pao Arts Center, Q Restaurant
BCNC x Boston Children’s Museum: Community Circles
Each circle was made by a community member of Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center. Community member artists, who drew and cut each round shape, were inspired by photographs that children at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood took around the neighborhood. Students looked for patterns they felt were representative of their neighborhood.
Partner Organization: Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
Co-created with Vivian Ho.
Partner Organization: Chinese Progressive Association Boston
Co-created with Wen-ti Tsen, Cedric Douglas
Partner Organization: Asian American Resource Workshop, APIs 4 Black Lives Boston
Co-created with Tiandra Ray, Vivian Ho.
Performer: Devyn Harris.
Photograph: Jill Goldman.
Partner Organization: Rites of Passage Project
Wah Lum Unity & Solidarity Mural
This mural is a permanent version of a temporary community mural painted with Wah Lum students and community members during the 2020 pandemic. To see the original mural, check out artist/photographer Greg Cook’s excellent write up here.
Cloud designs: Kari Percival.
Painting + Cleaning Assist: Laura Le, Joshua Lam, Hannah Lydon, Jon Truong, Morgan Peeples, Amy Tran, MK Schneeweis, Ga Tsung Chan, Alan Mazzone.
Partner Organization: Wah Lum Kung Fu & Taichi Academy
Malden Arts x A-Voyce Switchboxes: Welcome to the Potluck & Youth Power
These two switchboxes in Malden were designed by youth in Malden.
Painting Assist: Jennie Chau, Vivian Ho, Laura Le
Partner Organization: Asian Community Development Corporation
MAPC x GMAACC - Welcome to the Malden River
This creative placemaking project was funded by MAPC and created in partnership with GMAACC for the Malden River. I worked with Vivian Ho to facilitate a community conversation with young people in Malden and co-led the painting process with her.
Partner Organization: Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAACC), Wah Lum Kung Fu and Taichi Academy, MAPC
#ReclaimSafety was one of local actions organized nationwide against racial profiling & surveillance, Islamophobia, and deportation in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Muslim communities and beyond. Co-created with Xau Ying Ly.
Partner Organization: NAPAWF Boston.