TED Talks Daily How art transforms brokenness into beauty | Lily Yeh (re-release)
26 snips
Dec 29, 2025 
Lily Yeh, an inspiring artist and community organizer, travels the world bringing collaborative art to neglected spaces. She shares her journey from academia to creating transformative public projects in Philadelphia and beyond. Yeh discusses the evolution of her community initiatives into vibrant parks and memorials, emphasizing the power of art to heal. She recounts her impactful work in Rwanda and the Dandelion School, showcasing how beauty can restore hope and intimacy in broken communities, all with just a suitcase full of supplies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From Abandoned Lot To Community Village
- Lily Yeh started by transforming an abandoned lot in North Philadelphia with children, art supplies, and found materials.
- The project grew into the Village of Arts and Humanities and unified the community through shared creation.
Begin With Small, Playful Steps
- Start small and use simple tools to invite participation in community art projects.
- Use playful tasks like brooms and shovels to lure people in and build momentum.
Treasure In Unexpected Places
- Lily discovered that communities labeled 'broken' often harbor abundant creativity and resources.
- Collaborating reveals local wisdom, compassion, and strengths that outsiders may miss.