The Arts and Healing Network is excited to present the 2002 AHN Award to Lily Yeh, founder of the Village of Arts and Humanities which for over 15 years has been facilitating major transformations in inner-city Philadelphia. Thanks to the efforts of the Village of Arts and Humanites, today what was once a run-down neighborhood is now a place rich with community spirit and beauty.
The project started small. Lily, an artist and university teacher, had the idea to transform one lot in Philadelphia. In 1985, she began, and as she explains,"I didn't know how to do it. I was scared, being an Asian woman [in a primarily African-American neighborhood] -- I'd be an outsider, and I almost bowed out. But I felt there was a voice in me and if I didn't rise to the occasion, the best part of me would die." She continues, "In the beginning, I had no idea what to do. I bought rakes and shovels and began with a circle in the center. Children came to help; the energy and feeling was great." She really credits the children with having been instrumental in this work. "I did not know how to lead. It was the children who taught me how. The children, through their innocence, curiosity, joy, and willingness to take part showed me the power and source of their creative energy. Their participation forced me to figure out a different way of doing things. That was when I learned how to be a leader. A real leader understands the art of following."
What followed was the creation of a colorful garden with mosaics and murals that engaged the entire neighborhood from former drug addicts to families. Its success prompted the founding of the Village of Arts and Humanities in 1986. As Lily explains, "We call it a village because the center, our focus, is right here. We transform the neighborhood and through that we build people and we heal from the bottom up." Since its founding, the Village has worked with tens of thousands of people to provide a wide variety of arts education programs, renovate abandoned properties, rebuild the environment, conduct experiential training, create jobs, and celebrate achievements together through festivals, theater, exhibitions, and publications.
The abandoned lot before and after its transfomation
The Village has grown into an award winning, nationally-recognized model for building community through art and their partnerships and consulting services now span the globe from Philadelphia to Italy, Kenya, the Ivory Coast, the Republic of Georgia, China and beyond.
The Arts and Healing Network applauds Lily for being a model of transformation by following that inner voice despite fears, taking one step at a time, listening deeply, being humble and open and thereby nourishing what wants to be born.
Upon receiving the AHN Award, Lily writes, "One must follow the feel that comes from the heart and the energy that surges forth directly from life itself. I find it in bountiful supplies in working with children and with people often in places broken. I want to continue to work with children and to go to those difficult places where we can create magic together through art and experience that sense of wonder about life."
To learn more about the Village of Arts and Humanities,
please visit their web site at www.villagearts.org
In Fall 2002, Lily Sent and Update on Her Work in Ghana
In September 2002, Lily (pictured left with straw hat) used some of the funds from the AHN Award to finance a trip to Ghana where she brought creative transformation to an impoverished neighborhood in old Accra.
As she explains, "The Ghana visit was a big success. I worked with over two hundred children and sixty adults in the slum section of the old Accra, the capital of Ghana. This area is very close to the sea and has a sad but impressive history. The area, Jamestown, one time an elegant and prosperous section of town, has fallen to poverty and dust. I was able to bring a lot of color, creativity, and joy to the people, especially children. Also we transformed a bleak courtyard into a public space full of patterns and colors. Anyone who wanted to paint had the chance to paint. I would sketch out my design and chart the colors. People got so eager that they just could not wait to dip their brushes in the paints. It was just wonderful. Children just could not help themselves from feeling energized and confident. I also provided food for the children, which certainly made people happy. Thank you so much for your generous award which helped to finance my trip and workshops in Ghana."
To see more photos of Lily's experience in Ghana, please visit the April 2003 News Page.
In November 2005, Lily Sent News of Her Latest Project, BAREFOOT ARTISTS
Lily has now retired from the Village of Arts and Humanities, leaving it in good hands, while she extends her reach further into the world, founding Barefoot Artists. This organization brings "brings the transformative power of art to the most impoverished communities in the world through participatory and multifaceted projects that foster community empowerment, improve the physical environment, promote economic development, and preserve and promote indigenous art and culture." Their many projects include work in China, Italy, Kenya, Greece and more. To learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit, www.barefootartists.org.
Listen to Lily Yeh speak about her work by using this audio player below.
