Maya 'Pebblz' Luv is a member of Asian Solidarity Collective's youth committee, which is hosting a series of workshops to facilitate community healing through the arts, starting Oct. 29 at Skyline Hills Library
Creating art is the only thing Maya “Pebblz” Luv wants to do in life. She grew up with art all around her, and while she didn’t have a television when she was younger, she had an imagination that manifested dressing up, painting, dancing, storytelling and entertaining the people around her. Exploring different art forms and creating also taught her how to be herself and remain open to learning.
“Art is a form of healing. Every time I do my art, I go into a state of mind where I can fully express all of my thoughts and feelings into a safe, accepting and sacred space,” she says. “My art has allowed me to find my own identity and … to be patient and enjoy my journey.” That healing power is something she works to bring to her community in her work with Asian Solidarity Collective’s youth committee. ASC is a social justice organization working toward the collective liberation of all communities, and their youth committee created its Co-HEART campaign last year with an eye toward collective care and community healing through series of art workshops.
Luv, 19, is a youth organizer, b-girl , actress, model and member of Asian Solidarity Collective’s youth committee living in southeastern San Diego. She took some time to talk about her work with the organization and how communal healing and art work together.
, “Recognize that art is a powerful tool, a language that can be used to enlighten, inform and guide to action.” The art he created for the Black Panther Party’s newspaper subverted the widespread narrative of White supremacy by visualizing Black empowerment and overcoming systemic injustice. Our hope is to continue the tradition of art as a means to regain power and hope.