With help from the California Arts Council, Piece by Piece will offer therapeutic and transformative art programming for veterans, expanding on a recent series of veteran’s focused workshops. For 16 years we have provided a safe, welcoming environment – staffed with trauma informed professionals – where individuals who have experienced homelessness or living with financial insecurity and the resulting trauma, depression, isolation, or other mental health issues – have an opportunity to participate in free workshops focused on easily accessible mosaic arts that require no prior experience. To ensure full inclusivity for veterans Dawn Mendelson, Artistic Program Director will update curriculums with input from partner organization Village for Vets and James G, a veteran and Certified Piece by Piece artist. Funds will directly support curriculum updates, additional materials and staff and accessibility for disabled veterans.
Programs include:
– Artisan Certification Program: Progressive skill-building course guiding participants through four certification levels in mosaic.
– Directed Studies: Multi-week sessions focusing on advanced techniques led by Piece by Piece instructors and professional Visiting Artists.
– Open Studio: Open session for active participants to create personal projects, refine skills, and receive support from instructors.
– Community Outreach: Group projects with community members in an inviting, low-commitment setting.
– Social Enterprise: Artisans complete orders and commissioned projects, receiving an hourly wage for their work.
– Studio Prep Associates Program: The organization employs individuals who have experienced homelessness to provide program support sorting, preparing, and managing donated mosaic materials.

