Poinciana’s ‘Dragon Power’ benefits Friends of Lincoln Square Park
Lincoln Square is often referred to as the heartbeat of Oakland Chinatown. The park and recreation center have fostered a strong community and sense of pride for generations of Oakland residents. This holds true for seventeen-year-old Poinciana Hung-Haas. Poinciana is a young Oakland-based artist and fashion designer. Her creativity is inspired by the Town's rich cultural diversity, expressed in its people, music, food, and street art.
Poinciana Hung-Haas at Lincoln Square Park. Photo credit: Justin Cardona
“Oakland Chinatown is my home away from home. It has always been where my family and friends play, eat, and shop. Before I could even walk, I was swinging at Lincoln Square’s playground. I attended Lincoln Elementary and also spent many evenings, weekends, and summers at the park. It is where I formed some of my best friendships and memories.”
These memories served as part of the inspiration behind Poinciana’s latest design, ‘Dragon Power’. It depicts two dragon heads coming together in the shape of a heart to honor the love and pride she feels for Oakland Chinatown, the community where she grew up. The dragons symbolize strength and power and are inspired by her neighborhood's murals. Both are woven through the Oaklandish tree logo. Poinciana and Oaklandish have teamed up to support Friends of Lincoln Square Park and our quest to build a new recreation center. Proceeds from ‘Dragon Power’ benefit our capital campaign!
Like many of us, Poinciana sees a new Lincoln Square as an opportunity to breathe new life into Oakland Chinatown. “I have visited many remnants of Chinatowns in the US, such as Portland, Marysville, New York and Seattle, all of which have either shrunk or just become historical sites. My fear right now is that Oakland’s will follow their path and become a ghost town. Building a new rec center would be a huge step to revival because it will bring the community back together. Here, we can create a big safe space for elders, carry on our culture and stories, and develop our future leaders. Please support my community by building a larger community center”.
Thank you, Poinciana and Oaklandish for your support! To check out ‘Dragon Power’ or to purchase a shirt, head over to the Oaklandish website.
