South King Street Elementary School Mural

The South King Street Elementary School Mural displays part of Seattle, Washington’s International District, featuring the iconic gate, Hing Hay Park, and several restaurants. Fourth and fifth grade students were asked to imagine themselves interacting with spaces in Chinatown. Then, they used a finger, ink, and a pen to add themselves to the scene.

In doing so, students learned about and participated in a community which is, in many cases, different from their own, demystifying the “foreign” and sparking curiosity and exploration.

TIMELINE-

Presentation: 5 weeks,
Mural: 2 weeks

ROLE-

Illustrator/Designer,
Presentor,
Researcher

CONTEXT

AAPI Workshops for Elementary Students

In Spring of 2023, I organized high school student-run workshops about Asian American topics for fourth- and fifth-graders at three local elementary schools. Since Asian representation is rare in elementary school curricula, the series aimed to promote inclusion and foster thoughtful discussion about history, race, and their impacts on diverse communities. The series reached roughly 540 total elementary students.

Our workshop about the history of Chinatowns in America was presented to six classrooms, or roughly 180 students. The workshop consisted of a 15-minute presentation and three 7-minute activities (accounting for transition time, this translated into a 45-minute workshop).

My role, in addition to organizing the workshop series broadly, was to research the history of Chinatowns on a national scale and execute one of the three activities.

1. Presentation

Making race engaging, interactive, and understandable for 9-11-year-olds

FINAL SLIDE DECK

The presentation consists of 24 slides and is meant to take 15 minutes. We utilized bright colors and images to boost visual interest, hold attention, and aid in explaining concepts. We also incorporated several pauses for students to turn-and-talk and questions about prior knowledge and understanding.

2. Mural

Supporting local communities and cultural connection with hands-on design

DELIVERABLE

This poster displays part of South King Street, featuring the iconic International District gate, Hing Hay Park, and several restaurants. Various fourth and fifth grade students were asked to imagine themselves interacting with spaces in Chinatown. Then, they used a finger, ink, and a pen to add themselves to the scene.

DIMENSIONS-

3x8'

(A short guide on how to add yourself to the mural)

(A closer look at the mural)

❮ ❯

PROCESS

Satellite-Assisted Drawing

I used a screenshot from Google Earth to get positions, perspective, and proportions correct. Then, I traced the positions of landmarks and used supplemental reference photos to complete the illustration. I researched each shop and building in the image then numbered and compiled the research, description, and illustration onto the final deliverable.

CONCLUSION

Special thanks to Ms. Danielle King, Ms. Chantel Torrey, Ms. Erica Hill, Principal Megan Isakson, Principal Jon Wollmuth, Principal Julie Newcomer, the students of West Mercer Elementary, the students of Island Park Elementary, the students of Northwood Elementary, and the students of ECAAR, all of whom worked hard to make this project a success.