Sing for Hope LGBTQ Youth Design a Public Piano
During the spring 2019 semester, the Division of Continuing Education at SVA partnered with Sing for Hope (SFH) and the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) to bring a new vision to New York City streets. SFH, an organization providing artistic opportunities for communities, places artist-designed pianos throughout NYC public spaces for residents to play and enjoy during the month of June.
SVA Continuing Education and the Hetrick-Martin Institute helped produce this Sing for Hope Piano
This year, SVACE collaborated with artist Joan Di Lieto and HMI youths on a piano inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s quote: “I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.”
"Under the guidance of artist and SVA alumna Joan Di Lieto and with support from illustrator and SVACE faculty Grant Shaffer, a piano donated by Sing for Hope was transformed by the youths of HMI into a work of art that motivates us to reflect and celebrate political and social change,” writes Joseph Cipri, Executive Director of the Division of Continuing Education.
HMI, the nation’s largest LGBTQ youth services organization, has been providing for and protecting young people since 1979. HMI is now celebrating its 40th year of service in fostering new educational models that focus on creating a space for youths seeking emotional and physical safety.
Artist Joan Di Lieto working during Open Art at the Hetrick-Martin Institute
The project was facilitated by illustrator, SVA faculty member and HMI Open Art staff Grant Shaffer, who worked alongside Di Lieto to guide participants in painting their dreams onto balsa wood tiles. Together these tiles comprised a unique collage of diverse media, styles and interpretations of what one’s dream could be. Di Lieto emphasized the connection in process: “Collage is a metaphor for the extraordinary community of HMI, echoing Sing for Hope’s mantra of #artforall.” The collaborative tiled piano truly reflects the tone of Open Art at HMI, where young artists work together on whatever their creativity guides them toward.
Learn more about Grant Shaffer’s role at the Hetrick-Martin Institute.
Di Lieto also worked in SFH’s communal studio at 28 Liberty Street, where the tiles were physically applied onto the piano. “Creating is a connection to one’s soul. Both HMI and SFH have the common element of artists coming together—as a group working in Open Art, and painting in the communal piano studios at 28 Liberty.” The piano now permanently resides at HMI for current and future youths to enjoy over many years to come.
Join the Hetrick-Martin Institute in person with special guests at Art & Activism on September 4th.
A version of this feature appeared in our fall 2019 issue of SVA ContinuEd, available now by visiting or calling our office. Follow our updates and stories on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages!