Mosaic & Tile Fine Artist

Over the last three years, Karen Silton’s passion for Community Arts became fulfilled through the evolution of a Mosaic Mural project that took place at a family shelter in Boyle Heights. In 2007, Karen identified the L.A. Family Housing, Comunidad Cesar Chavez as a non-profit that would benefit from her time and her artistic skills. She met with their staff and learned that there was a need for more attention to the families’ emotional and psychological needs, and they agreed that art could be very beneficial to the families living there.

Karen donated materials and volunteered her time to organize monthly art workshops at the shelter. Out of this simple beginning, the project took on a life of its own. Three years later there were over one hundred 9” x 6” house-shaped tiles that were made by residents that had lived at the shelter during the three year period.

Karen created the design for the Family Mosaic Tile Mural, balancing elements that would be colorful, uplifting, and also portray through pictures the families that had been part of this project. There were many loyal volunteers that helped make this project happen, and it was very much a team effort from start to finish. When the finished project was unveiled in November 2010, Karen was reunited with some of the participants and volunteers to celebrate this amazing journey with L.A. Family Housing. Many of the residents cited increased self-esteem, lasting friendships, improved family relationships, and better mental health, all of which seemed to help contribute to the families' financial recovery.