Event Diaries: Art from the Heart
At Asian Girls Ignite, we are on a mission to build a strong community of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) girls and women to celebrate our individual and collective power through shared stories. Recently, we had the honor of hosting an event for our middle school students, “Art from the Heart.” This event was meant to encourage participants to express themselves and explore their identities. The students engaged in hands-on artistic projects and exercises to explore components of their identity related to emotion, purpose, and cultural background.
This event was planned by AGI intern, Annabel Kaey, as a part of her undergraduate senior project. We were also joined by one of our storytellers, Katerina Jeng.
Introduction: Grounding Roots Meditation
The event began with a guided grounding roots meditation led by Katerina. As the students settled into the space, they were guided through a journey of introspection and being present. Katerina utilized the metaphor of the growth and movement of a tree to emphasize the power of being collected in community while also understanding what keeps us grounded in our own individual identities. This meditation set the tone for the rest of the day, creating an environment where students are encouraged to be self-reflective as they work on their art projects in community.
Students then rotated between three separate stations that sparked meaningful conversations and inspiring dialogue. Each station focused on a specific part of the participant’s AANHPI identity–their roots, affirmations, and manifestations.
Photo Collages: Your Roots - What is my history?
The “roots” activity encouraged students to explore their heritage through the creation of photo collages. Students created collages with pictures of their families and other images provided to share their history with one another. This fostered a deeper understanding of each unique identity and a connection to their roots.
Light Jars: Present Affirmations - What lights me up right now?
The “light jars” activity inspired students to implore “What lights me up right now?” Students wrote down on a piece of paper what was motivating them and decorated jars with what brought them joy and fulfillment. By creating these light jars, students illuminated the things that ignite their passions and remind them of the light they carry.
Stamps: Future Manifestations - Who will I become?
The “stamps” activity invited students to envision their future selves and set manifestations for their dreams. Students started by planning out their aspirations on a piece of paper and created stamps on foam pieces. The foam pieces were designed and cut out to form custom stamps. This exercise was empowering for the students to envision their future and manifest their goals.
Closing Circle
We like to end every event with a closing circle. If you’re unfamiliar with closing circles, it’s our way of wrapping-up in community by sharing a collective breath and voicing our head (something we learned), heart (something we felt), and hands (something we’ll take action on).
At this event, we heard our students and team members share:
“I feel thankful to be a part of this group.”
“I felt happy to be here because it was really fun, and it was nice to have a break and hang out here.”
“I learned that I love crafting…and having a space to do it with you all has been so fun.”
AAPI Community Event
While the middle school students were finding a fun and creative outlet for their self-exploration, there was a community event happening in the other room!
Titled "Kaleidoscope of AAPI: Individual Identities, United Community," the installation aims to celebrate the diverse perspectives and shared experiences within the AAPI community. Through various art forms, participants explored the question, "What does being AAPI mean to you?" Our community encountered a vibrant array of artworks representing personal narratives, cultural heritage, and visions of unity.
The artwork made at this event will be featured at our annual ElevAsian Night Market Fundraiser on August 17, 2024. We hope to see you there!
Thank You!
Thank you for your continued support of our AGI events! We are so honored to be a part of your student’s journey and to provide spaces for them to show up authentically and build community.
Team
Annabel Kaey
Annabel (she/her/hers) joins Asian Girls Ignite this semester as a Youth Development Intern. She is in the final semester of her degree of Diversity and Equity in Educational Studies and plans to become an art therapist and educator. She has worked with Generation Teach as a reading/art teacher, created an art curriculum for a before and after school program, and worked within classrooms with an SES focus. She is passionate about working with marginalized youth to support them in celebrating their identity and engaging in authentic expression. Growing up first-gen, home was her cultural safe haven, but she felt that there was constant pressure outside the home to assimilate and she never felt truly represented or understood. She is extremely grateful that an organization like Asian Girls Ignite exists because it has been her dream to do this type of work and be a part of the community! Beyond her involvement with AGI and her time as a college student, Annabel enjoys boxing, creating ceramics, reading, and cooking!
Katerina Jeng
Katerina Jeng (they/she) is a neurodivergent queer Filipina-Taiwanese-American. Born in the bustling city of New York, New York, they grew up soaking in the suburban vibes of Long Island. Navigating their AAPI identity in an area with few others like them was a journey. Katerina spent their early years trying to blend in, downplaying their heritage to fit in with their predominantly white peers. It wasn't until after college that they embraced their Asian American identity, embarking on a quest to understand what it truly means.
Now, Katerina is passionate about sharing the richness of this identity and fostering pride within our community. As a storyteller for AGI, they are thrilled to connect with Asian girls, offering them the representation and guidance I wished for in my youth. Through their art and writing, including their upcoming poetry book "Gospel of a Whole Sun," Katerina explores themes of creativity, identity, and liberation. Additionally, they coach and facilitate workshops on these topics, aiming to empower others to discover their unique paths.
Celebrating their AAPI identity involves living authentically and boldly, while also creating new traditions and celebrations rooted in Katerina’s heritage. Maya Angelou's words, "At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel," resonate deeply with them. It reminds them that impacting others positively is the true measure of success in their journey.
