• Piece by Piece artists working on a large-scale mosaic

    FAQ

General

Yes, Piece by Piece is a 501(c)3. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the California Secretary of State in August 2007. 

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, and promote wellness and improved quality of life.

Piece by Piece is governed by a dedicated board of volunteers. They provide governance for the organization. The staff provides day-to-day management of the organization. 

There are many ways to partner with Piece by Piece. You can commission a unique custom mosaic or mural or host a private event to benefit Piece by Piece.  Corporate and business partners are invited to explore partnerships that may include team-building projects, customized logo designs, event sponsorship, and more.  We are always looking for guest instructors.  You can sponsor a private mosaic workshop for friends to celebrate a special event or work with us to create a custom private class. To inquire about any of these, please reach out to us at info@piecebypiece.org.

Yes, we are always looking for volunteers. Volunteer needs include administrative support, guest artists/photographers, facilities improvements, class prep and clean-up, and more. Piece by Piece is also always looking for board members to help further the organization's mission. If you are interested in volunteering in any of these ways (or another way not listed), please fill out our volunteer interest form here

Yes, you may make a reques using this form.

  • Piece by Piece artists working on a large-scale mosaic

Program

Classes are free to residents of Los Angeles who have experienced homelessness or have faced economic insecurity. Classes at our South LA location are not offered to the general public. 

Classes are offered weekly. Interested individuals may submit an application at any time here. Piece by Piece is closed for the month of August, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. 

You may fill out an application here or reach out to us at info@piecebypiece.org.

No. Many of our artists benefit from the therapeutic environment offered at Piece by Piece. To best maintain this safe space, we limit classes to those who qualify for the program. We are happy to offer private group classes or one-time workshops, for a fee, to your group, business or organization.

We offer free mosaic workshops in a safe and encouraging space. Piece by Piece workshops nurture connection and creativity, first and foremost. Classes focus on basic skills, working on individual and collaborative projects, led by professional artists.

Workshops range between 2 to 3 hours and are ongoing. There are no specific series, making the classes easily accessible and easy to join at any level or time period. Individuals are welcome to participate for as long as they find the classes fulfilling. 

Class participants will be hands-on with mosaic materials and tools and creating mosaics starting with their first class. 

We do! Our certificate program guides participants through mastering a series of mosaic skills and techniques. This helps our artists challenge themselves, set goals, and earn much-needed supplemental income. Each person works at their own pace to complete up to four different levels. Learn more about it here. 

  • Piece by Piece artists in front of the Brilliance of Community mural

Social Enterprise

The Piece by Piece social enterprise’s purpose is to support our artist community. The artists create and sell mosaic art through the Piece by Piece online shop, various retail outlets, custom awards, and large-scale commissions. Your support makes this possible. 

All the artists working in our social enterprise have participated in our community classes and graduated from our certificate program. The Piece by Piece social enterprise exists to support artists that have experienced homelessness and/or economic insecurity. It is a closed enterprise that focuses on providing a supportive environment, allowing the artists to create and flourish.  Occasionally, we collaborate with professional artists to teach the social enterprise team new skills. 

Piece by Piece’s social enterprise provides much more than just income for the artists. The artists are welcomed into a safe environment where they are able to express themselves creatively. We foster collaboration and teamwork, and operate a bi-lingual program, allowing artists to communicate with ease. Lunch is provided during the work day. Most importantly, artists are in a therapeutic environment where they can ask for assistance and referrals. 

Artists continue to further their skills in mosaic arts through practice and ongoing education opportunities. In addition, they are taught the soft skills needed to navigate employment successfully, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, decision-making, stress management and adaptability. 

  • Piece by Piece artists' artwork being displayed

Shop

Piece by Piece artists create all the work sold in the shop and through our retail outlets. Artists start with our free community-based classes and then progress through a certificate program before they are eligible to participate in our social enterprise program. Once eligible, each artist has the opportunity to create and sell artwork of their design through our online shop. Artists also participate in community projects and the creation of our retail line. 

Artists are paid a living wage for work on our retail products and large-scale commissions. For individual artwork, artists receive the majority of the proceeds, with a small percentage retained to support Piece by Piece to cover the costs of materials, sales, and promotion. 

Yes. Mosaic is a strong medium, and we use a variety of new and recycled pieces to create our works of art. Our artists are trained in using the most professional techniques to ensure quality work. However, on rare occasions, there may be a need for repair. Piece by Piece offers repairs due to material defects on purchased items at no cost for two years from the date of sale. 

Our warranty does not include items that have been broken, left outside (if noted it is an interior piece), or in need of other repairs. We are always happy to assess the extent of damage and, if repairs are possible, provide a quote to restore your item.  

For most of our art, the answer is no. However, some items are specifically created for outdoor placement. Any item suitable for outdoor use will be clearly labeled as appropriate for use outside. 

All items are mailed within two business days. The exact delivery time will depend on your location. 

Mosaic is a strong medium and we use a variety of new and recycled pieces to create our works of art. Our artists are trained in using the most professional techniques to ensure quality work. However, in rare occasions, there may be need for a repair. Piece by Piece offers repairs due to material defects on purchased items at no cost for two years from date of sale. For items that have been broken, left outside, or in need of other repairs, we will assess the extent of damage and, if repairs are possible, provide a quote to restore your item. Please contact info@piecebypiece.org  if you have any questions.  

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

To start a return, you can contact us at info@piecebypiece.org . Please note that returns will need to be sent to the following address: 1815 S. Soto Street Los Angeles, CA 90023

If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.

You can always contact us for any return questions at info@piecebypiece.org.

You can read our full policy here.

  • Piece by Piece artists at a mosaic workshop

Donate

Piece by Piece uses Fundraise Up for online donations. Both the online giving form and the Fundraise Up website are secure, so you can be confident that your personal information is safe.

You may also donate by phone or mail. You may make a donation over the phone at (213) 459-1420. To mail a check, please send it to Piece by Piece, 1815 S Soto St., Los Angeles, CA 90037. Gifts of stocks and estate planning are also welcomed. Please contact us at info@piecebypiece.org

Your support of Piece by Piece allows residents of South LA and Skid Row who have experienced homelessness and/or economic insecurity access to free mosaic art classes. These classes are a creative outlet, a place to build community, and offer a safe space for healing. For those who want to continue their journey beyond the therapeutic classes offered, they have an opportunity to earn supplemental income through our social enterprise. None of this is possible without your support. 

A monthly gift allows Piece by Piece to budget and plan much more precisely than one-time gifts. Monthly donations make a lasting impact. Every dollar counts, and a guaranteed monthly donation is a comfort for Piece by Piece, helping us to run on the generosity of others.

Yes! You may make a general donation allowing Piece by Piece to use the funds where they are needed most, or you may give specifically to support our free classes or our social enterprise. You will see an option to designate funds when you donate.

Piece by Piece’s Tax ID number is 20-8348198 

Our financials are available on our website here. 

Yes! We welcome donations from most countries. When an international credit card is used, the card or bank may have a currency conversion fee tacked on. Our giving platform can only show US dollars and is not able to show the converted currency amounts, but the donation will show on your bank statement in your currency.

Piece by Piece is committed to respecting the privacy of our donors. Please read our full privacy policy here.

You can log in to our Donor Portal and see all past donations, as well as manage upcoming donations.