Youth Unity Mural in Bayview-Hunters Point | 青年團結壁畫

August 16, 2021 - Ongoing

Coverage from Skylink TV

Youth Unity Mural 青年團結壁畫

Black and Asian communities stand together against hate

非裔和亞裔社區站在一起

The San Francisco African American Arts & Culture District (SFAAACD) and Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) are proud to announce a partnership on the “Youth Unity Mural,” a artist-led solidarity mural collaborating with youth that celebrates African American and Asian American communities standing together against racism and hate.

After a community-wide open call process, artists Helice Wen and Kalani Ware are selected to create two murals in collaboration with young artists from the Community Youth Center (CYC)'s Bayview Youth Advocates and Bayview YMCA.

"You have the answers. Create from this place of knowing who you are. Actively listen to others, understanding that they bring along their experience to the discussion. No matter if you are high class, middle or low...let's pledge to always develop our leadership skills. Regardless of race or class, let's all be respectful."

- Bayview Youth Advocates' Pledge

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About the Artists

Helice Wen helicewen.com | @helicewen

Helice Wen is a Chinese-American artist. She was born and raised in ShenZhen, China. She moved to San Francisco at age 14 where she currently lives and works. She received a BA Illustration degree from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. After illustrating several children’s books, Helice switched her focus to gallery work. Her work has been shown in galleries both nationally and internationally. Through her work, Helice uses figures and floral patterns to narrate the intimate, vulnerable, and sensibilities in everyday life.

Kalani Ware kalaniware.com | @kalaniware

Kalani Ware is a contemporary visual artist from Oakland, CA, with roots in Hawai'i. He creates, experiments and explores his creativity in color. He strives to create works that will inspire others. The variation of colors, shapes and textures he uses not only represents the diverse and multicultural society we live in, but our connection to society and each other. His current body of work focuses on these same ideas, sometimes incorporating people. What he loves most about abstract art is that it is subjective. Kalani hopes that people can engage, ask questions and find happiness in his work. Everything begins as a thought for him, then it becomes a visual sketch in his mind. Kalani’s creative process is very organic and natural, he creates, revises, then reflects. Although, primarily focused on abstract works, the majority of Kalani’s work over the years has been widely diverse, showing his creative range from painting nature landscapes to human figures.

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Youth Artists from CYC' Bayview Youth Advocates

https://www.cycsf.org/program/bya/ | @cyc_sf | @cycyouthvoices

BYA is comprised of a group of multicultural young people living or going to school in Bayview Hunters Point (District 10). BYA is committed to reducing violence and to creating harmony and understanding through outreach, education, and advocacy. Youth participate in weekly afterschool multicultural leadership workshops and volunteer in monthly community events. Through BYA, youth have the opportunity to share their voices in various spaces in the community and participate in decision-making processes that affect them and their families.

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About the Organizers

San Francisco African American Arts and Cultural District sfaaacd.org | @SFAAACD

The vision of the San Francisco African American Arts & Cultural District (SFAAACD) is a robust, economically vibrant Black community that adds to the rich cultural tapestry of San Francisco. Our mission is to advance, cultivate, enrich and advocate for African-American equity, cultural stability, vibrancy, and economic vitality in San Francisco’s African-American Arts & Cultural District. Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco cccsf.us | @CCCSanFrancisco Chinese Culture Center (CCC) is a non-profit arts organization established in 1965. CCC elevates underserved communities and gives voice to equality through education and contemporary art. Rooted in San Francisco’s Chinatown, CCC is a loud and creative voice to uplift social and economical transformation. We provide a safe environment for artists who champion activism, resiliency, and healthy communities. In doing so, we shift dominant narratives, empower change, and reimagine our futures.

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Acknowledgment

Organizers:

San Francisco African American Arts and Culture District | @SFAAACD

Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco | @CCCSanFrancisco

Lead artists:

Helice Wen | @helicewen

Kalani Ware | @kalaniware

Youth Partners: Community Youth Center | @CYC_sf Bayview YMCA | @bayviewymca

Youth artists: Wanru Cai, Ya Ling Chen, Demetra Hillman, Ethan Hilman, Chi Hang Leung, Shuk Yee Leung, Jacky Loc, Juliana Moore-Woods, Zilin Tan, Dina Wu

Volunteers: Will Zeng, Yumeng Guo

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This project is made possible through the support from the San Francisco Foundation, Asian Pacific Fund, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development & Cruise, with additional support from #StartSmall, Grants for the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, Wattis Foundation, Zellerbach Family Foundation, California Small Business Relief grants, National Endowment for the Humanities CARES Relief support.