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Mitchell Park Community Center
Over the course of five monthly workshops at the Mitchell Park Community Center, I taught teens in the Palo Alto community about current social issues like climate change and Asian hate during the pandemic and introduced them to art activists like Shepard Fairey. Collaborating with the advisor from the Palo Alto Teen Arts Center, she taught a lesson on art techniques and ways to make art powerful. Participants then discussed social issues and created art pieces on issues they were passionate about to bring awareness to them.
Examples of Participants' Artwork
Food Insecurity
This art piece depicts the consequences of food insecurity, specifically in children. Children who experience malnourishment are more likely to be prone to health issues that inhibit their ability to learn and retain new knowledge.
-Description by Esther Chung
Glossing Over The Native American History
In school, we learned about Columbus and how he "discovered" what is called America now, but what about the people who lived there before? We were taught to memorize the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, but not the genocide and torture the Native Americans endured when they stepped onto their land. This raises the importance of accurately teaching the truth of history and the need for society to be more receptive and aware. It is crucial that the history of what this country was founded on is told accurately.
-Description by Artist
BLM: Performative Action
This art piece represents how harmful performative activism is on social media. It was encouraging and uplifting to see so many non-Black people embracing the Black Lives Matter movement; however, many chose to only participate in the effortless parts of activism that make them look better and were making a mockery of a struggle Black people have endured for centuries. When people see those types of posts "spreading awareness", they think that many people are already helping to solve the issue and they don't need to pay attention to it anymore.
-Description by Artist
Unrealistic Beauty Ideals
Pale Skin. A thin nose. Double-eyelids. Those who have these features are likely on the right track to attaining the "ideal" look that many East Asian countries praise. Unfortunately, in many of these countries, the concept of beauty is homogeneous. As a result of many East Asian countries idealizing Western beauty features, plastic surgery is extremely common in these countries, especially among young adults. If more East Asian celebrities embraced their natural features, then Asians would begin to see themselves reflected in highly venerated figures, and this could allow for more self-acceptance within East Asian culture.
-Description by Artist
Growing Old Alone
Growing old alone is becoming an increasing issue. Studies found that seniors who are lonely are more prone to cognitive decline and other illnesses. Many "Elder Orphans" or "Solo Agers" live in loneliness and fear. More community and educational resources need to be dedicated to helping these elderly.
-Description by Esther Chung
Asian Hate During The Pandemic
This art piece portrays the insecurity of being Asian and this almost shame of our culture in a society that looks so different. The goal of this piece is to show a sort of internal conflict of identities among many Asian Americans, whether we are more Asian or more American. The COVID-19 pandemic and a rise in Asian hate crimes inspired me (Charlie) to make this piece. I wanted to communicate the complexity of every person and highlight the importance of seeing a person holistically instead of labeling someone solely on their race.
-Description by Artist
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