Inclusivity • Community • Belonging • Creativity • Sustainability • Respect
Who We Are
Our mission is to empower residents who have experienced homelessness or economic insecurity by providing free mosaic art workshops enabling them to build confidence, earn supplementary income, promote wellness and an improved quality of life.
Piece by Piece offers residents of Skid Row and South Los Angeles free mosaic art workshops supporting wellness and quality of life with a path to earned income.
We partner with a variety of nonprofits and other supportive organizations to provide opportunities to engage not only in art making, but developing both technical and creative skills as well as building community. Our team of instructors and artists work collaboratively with these groups to promote wellness, improve stability, foster creativity and enhance participants’ quality of life.
Through free art workshops, and a safe welcoming community individuals who have experienced economic hardship are provided with the tools to heal, build community and master skills to earn income.
Our Story
The genesis of Piece by Piece was an inspirational trip to South Africa. After visiting several micro-enterprise agencies abroad and recognizing a need in our own communities, Founder Sophie Alpert decided to replicate the model with a program which would empower participants in underserved neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
In 2007, Piece by Piece launched a first mosaic workshop in South Los Angeles, using recycled materials as the primary art supply. Broken tile, glass, china and found objects were transformed into creative works of art. The caliber of talent and artistic quality that has emerged is a testament to the professional artists that facilitate workshops.
Our Vision
Be the model of collective self-healing, offering a pathway out of economic hardship while beautifying Los Angeles with mosaics!
Piece by Piece strives to increase access to arts education, demonstrate the healing power of art, support individuals in their artistic journey, offer arts training and a flexible earning schedule to those that wish to work as artists. We will do this utilizing recycled materials and sustainable practices with a focus on supporting members of the community who would not otherwise have these opportunities. Let’s Mosaic all of LA!
Large-Scale Projects
These public artworks beautify the city with the many hands that took part in creating it. Our artisans are empowered by being able to guide the public in creating mosaics in their community.
Piece by Piece Supporters
Piece by Piece is able to fulfill its mission as the result of the broad base of support received from the many individual, agencies, service providers and funders that share our passion for providing helping service within our communities. Thanks to you, Piece by Piece is able to offer no-cost mosaic art learning and training to low-income residents of South Los Angeles and Skid Row.
Your dollars assist our effort to expand workshops and build our Social Enterprise operation, which supports participants on a path to earning income and attaining jobs. We deeply appreciate those that have long supported Piece by Piece, the businesses that continue to donate materials for workshops, and the foundations and granting agencies that provide financial support.
"This is what drives me, it's what gets me up in the morning these days. I've found a talent that gives me reason for being. My fear is dead, my depression vanquished, my hope has been restored."
John M., Participant
Support Piece by Piece
Your donation supports Piece by Piece’s mission to provide free mosaic art workshops to residents of Skid Row, South Los Angeles, and surrounding areas who have experienced homelessness and/or are living with economic insecurity.