Meet the Piece by Piece Advisory Board
The Piece by Piece advisory board is comprised of community members who have expertise in the work and services offered by Piece by Piece. They offer insight into how the programs help the community; how Piece by Piece can continue to serve the community; and also help to identify and address some of the unseen issues and barriers that Piece by Piece artists face in their day to day lives. This unique perspective from diverse voices allows for a better understanding of what participants need and how Piece by Piece can grow to address those needs.
They meet quarterly to provide insights and recommendations around programming, outreach, and advocacy. As a part of this, at least once a year the advisory board provides the Piece by Piece board of directors and staff with recommendations for an advocacy plan for the organization. This may include recommendations on how Piece by Piece can support participants around mental wellness, the benefits cliff, housing security, access to services, and other areas that will help to improve the overall quality of life for Piece by Piece participants.
The other main function of the advisory board is to offer recommendations on programming and outreach. Staff relies on the advisory board to get feedback on the current program offerings including the certificate program. Staff also utilizes the advisory board to help design program evaluations and to get advice on how to empower participant artists in their healing and artistic journeys. We are grateful to their dedication and commitment to the Piece by Piece artists and thank them each for their service!
We are pleased to introduce the 2022 Piece by Piece Advisory Board Members.
June Cigar is well-respected and always supportive of her fellow artists at Piece by Piece, offering a kind word with a welcoming nature. She completed the Speak Up! Advocacy program through CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) and has represented the Skid Row and South Los Angeles communities in Sacramento, speaking to members of state government on issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, women’s issues, and arts wellness. She is a breast cancer survivor, and is passionate about advocating for women’s immediate health issues. As a trained artist with the program, she works on large and small scale commissions, and also enjoys making portraits of individuals who inspire her.
Jose Morales is an artist and assistant instructor Jose has been working with Piece by Piece for over twelve years. In addition to working with Piece by Piece, he created his own mosaic art program — Art of Heart — in his community, supporting individuals at KIWA (Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance) and elsewhere in the city. He has been a strong voice in advocating for immigrants and labor rights. Jose has been a pillar in the Piece by Piece program, always supportive, offering instruction that makes each person feel confident in their artistic journey. He enjoys creating geometric artwork and working with Piece by Piece artists on large scale projects.
Luz Mack leads the Piece by Piece artist team in the fabrication of commissions, both large and small. She has traveled to study with renowned mosaic masters and won awards for her art. Luz was granted a scholarship to study at The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass in New York and selected to receive the Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship by The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA).
Bea Jones is an instructor, supporting in all workshops and may also be found in the Piece by Piece Studio helping with Large-Scale commissioned artwork. Her encouraging assistance and expert knowledge is an enormous benefit to both participants and instructors.
