Korean American high school students and homeless residents have come together to create a message of hope, one tile at a time.
On July 29, the youth volunteer organization Help on the Go (led by Julia Jung) unveiled a tile art installation titled Peace by Piece at the district office of California State Senator María Elena Durazo (District 26) in the Echo Park area.
The piece was the result of a three-month collaboration between 15 Korean American high school students and four homeless individuals from the Los Angeles area. Meeting once a week for five hours in shared workspaces, the group painted and assembled the artwork together.
“We wanted to find a way to engage in community activities alongside residents,” said Jung. “This project reflects public input on environmental issues, homelessness, and strengthening community bonds.”
Launched on Earth Day, April 22, the initiative sought to capture the unique meaning and value of the community through art. Four homeless participants, affiliated with the nonprofit Piece by Piece—which supports self-reliance through art—helped create the central section depicting Echo Park Lake. The mosaic also features historic landmarks, the park itself, local small businesses, and restaurants.
Ryan Kim, 17, of Harvard-Westlake School, said, “I took part in this project hoping we can be a community that doesn’t turn away from one another’s hardships but works to solve them together.”
Sky Lee, 17, also from Harvard-Westlake, added, “While working on this, I learned how important it is for society to ensure that those in the shadows are treated fairly.”
The project was fully led by the Korean American students, from planning to production. “The students even raised funds themselves, including through crowdfunding,” Jung noted.
The work is part of the second annual Echo Park Earth Fest 2.0 initiative and was organized by Project Muse, the art team under Help on the Go.
Senator Durazo, who viewed the finished piece, remarked, “It’s very impressive to see youth contribute to community-building through art. Their creativity and positive spirit are embedded in the work.”
Discussions are currently underway between Help on the Go and Senator Durazo’s office to determine a permanent display location, with Echo Park or the Echo Park Community Center being considered as options.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
