Asian Joy is a collaborative project led by Ina Liu, Isabel Lu, and Sophie To to celebrate Asian American Experiences in North Carolina.
North Carolina (NC) has one of the fastest-growing Asian American (AA) populations in the United States, and AA have a rich and diverse history here. There’s a lack of recorded history and few spaces where AA can feel collective affirmation and belonging in NC. We aim to use public art to explore the convergence of Asianness, Southernness, and our relationships to joy, community, wellness, and belonging.
Photo by Sanjé James
A Community Engaged Mural
Asian Joy's intention is to capture what does joy mean for the Asian diaspora. Due to the diverse representation of different cultures, ethnicities, and identities, we were intentional to hear from community members what does joy mean to them. Our first community event, Golden Hour, was a public event centered on art, fellowship, and discussion about what joy means to them.
Youth Community Painting Day
Unveiling Event
The Mural
Thank you to our partners, NC Asian Americans Together, VAE Raleigh, Raleigh Arts, Durham Arts Council, Southern Oral History Program, Danny Peña, and Sanjé James