Lily Yeh: The Art of Nonviolence

Metta Center, St. John's Episcopal Church, and New Village Press are glad to announce an evening of discussion and inspiration with visual artist and community activist Lily Yeh. Once described as the "Mother Theresa of community arts," Lily is most noted for transforming a derelict inner-city urban neighborhood in North Philadelphia into The Village of Arts and Humanities, an interactive park space filled with gardens and mosaics. Today, she continues pursuing her vision through her Philadelphia-based organization, Barefoot Artists, which teaches residents and artists how to replicate the Village model in devastated communities around the world. One of Lily's latest project was the transformation of a school for migrant children in Beijing from a bleak old factory into a vibrant beautiful schoolground rich with with mural painting, mosaics, and environmental sculptures. This project is narrated in detail in "Awakening Creativity. Dandelion School Blossoms," released by New Village Press in June 2011.