Piece by Piece welcomes our newest certified artist - Hector!

Join us in congratulating Hector for becoming Piece by Piece’s newest Certified Artist. Hector is a bright spirit who brings a layer of fun and creativity to every workshop he joins. We talked to Hector and here’s what he had to say about his work at Piece by Piece!

How did you hear about Piece by Piece?
I was on my phone, and I was scrolling on social media to see if there were any free art events near me, and I saw a post on my Facebook feed about free basic mosaic classes for the residents of south LA, and I signed up!

Who inspires you?
People inspire me. Everyone around me inspires me, and I always learn something new from talking and listening to people. I grew up in South Los Angeles with many diverse people from different backgrounds, cultures, etc. and that has helped me be open-minded.

Hector working on a mosaic sphere

What materials do you like to use in your mosaic work?
I like recycled tesserae so I’ll use any material that is recyclable or that is donated here. It’s my favorite to use recycled material and give it a second home. 

How have you grown as an artist and a person since joining Piece by Piece?I’ve never done mosaics or knew what mosaic was until I came to Piece by Piece. At first, I was very nervous about cutting the tesserae pieces, and I struggled to figure out where to place my tesserae pieces, and my pieces would fly everywhere. Coming to the basic mosaic classes on Wednesdays and learning from Dawn, Bea, and the other instructors have helped me so much improve as an artist, and I have gained so much knowledge  and skills about mosaics that I feel comfortable and at peace.

What does Piece by Piece mean to you?
Piece by Piece means family and not a competition. I do feel sometimes like life is a competition but my colleagues show me that we’re all here and we all have struggles and because of that we know that it’s ok to be ourselves. 

What has Piece by Piece and creating mosaics added to your life?
Piece By Piece has given me hope and a voice. It’s very inspirational to be able to tell my story by putting broken recycled tesserae pieces together.  Being able to create art is something beautiful.

Sign up for our newsletter

1 comment

  • Hector, so great to have you on our Piece by Piece family, you have talent and I am glad you are honing your skills. Is great to read about you!

    Luz on

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Read More Blog Posts

  • Piece by Piece: Year in Review 2024 Part Two

    Piece by Piece: Year in Review 2024 Part Two

    we celebrate the growth of Piece by Piece’s social enterprise, impactful collaborations, and the amazing support of our team and funders. From creating income opportunities and new partnerships to achieving milestones powered by creativity and community, this year showcased the transformative power of working together.
  • Piece by Piece: 2024 Year in Review Part One

    Piece by Piece: 2024 Year in Review Part One

    At Piece by Piece, we believe in the power of art to inspire, heal, and transform lives. This year has been a testament to the resilience, creativity, and dedication of our community. From serving nutritious meals to expanding learning and employment opportunities, 2024 has been a year of growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
  • Visiting Artist Series: Kelley Knickerbocker

    Visiting Artist Series: Kelley Knickerbocker

    Seattle Mosaic Artist Kelley Knickerbocker visited Piece by Piece in November to teach a special workshop that inspired both creativity and technical skills. With a challenge to use only one material to make an entire piece, participant artists rose to the occasion and had a great time finding new ways to see a single material.