Malden Arts x A-VOYCE Switchbox

Youth Power (left)

Youth in ACDC’s Malden A-VOYCE (Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment) Program want to show local youth power for social change here in our city. A racially diverse group of young people joyfully lead a march down Main St, as they hold signs and bullhorns that advocate for a better future for their community: “Housing Justice,” “Youth Power,” and “Justice for Black Lives”. The youth researched the demographics of Malden to thoughtfully represent their peers.

Welcome to Our Potluck (right)

The youth in ACDC’s Malden A-VOYCE Program hope this switchbox will inspire passing Maldonians to grab a friend, eat at a local Asian restaurant, and celebrate Asian culture through food. In this design, three young Asian-American friends host a potluck celebration, each bringing a dish that can be shared family-style. Expanding beyond the monolithic idea of what “Asian-American” is, the young high schoolers represent the three largest Asian communities in Malden -- Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Sitting on top of tablecloth decorated with flowers that represent the national flowers of these communities, the dishes widen the viewers’ ideas of what “Asian” cuisine stereotypically looks like. On the table, we see mooncakes, dumplings, banh xeo, samosas, pho, and more.

Co-created with A-VOYCE Malden.
Painting Assist: Jennie Chau (youth), Laura Le