This year, we kicked off the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American (SEAA) refugee resettlement with a merchandise fundraiser, which celebrates SEAA art, artists, creativity, and community.
Talented SEAA artists have created brand new designs that will be featured on t-shirts, tote bags, prints, posters, and stickers. Each artist has reflected on the question, “What does the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American refugee resettlement mean to you?” to create these limited-edition custom illustrations for SEARAC. We’re also thrilled to reissue some of our community’s favorite designs from previous years of SEARAC events.
We are also thrilled to include letters from staff on the critical work we are doing at SEARAC— like advocating for policies, developing leaders, and building power for our Southeast Asian community — and how our community can join us in shaping the future.
Southeast Asian American Artists Interviews
Killamari is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Atlanta, GA and specializes in character based illustrations and designs. He likes drawing wacky characters and creating vibrant worlds by mashing together Khmer culture, street art, monsters, martial arts, and yummy eats! When not illustrating, Killamari likes to paint murals, slap stickers, eat pizza, and kick it with his daughters Matilda and Celestine. Learn more about his work at www.killamari.com.
HNin Nie is a multidisciplinary artist in Charlotte, NC with an associate’s degree in Fine Arts from Central Piedmont Community College. HNin’s primary focuses are painting and sculpture, however, her work draws inspiration from illustration, blending animation and text to tell stories. HNin’s art is a reflection of her experiences as an Asian woman in America, which she distills into playful palettes and relatable stories. Learn more at www.hninnie.com.
Sheena Vang, known artistically as Pabgha, is a talented Hmong-American artist and illustrator based in the vibrant Twin Cities of Minnesota. Her mesmerizing artwork is a captivating celebration of joy and positivity, skillfully crafted to infuse light and happiness into those within her community. Learn more about Sheena at www.pabgha.com.
Timothy Singratsomboune is an LGBTQ+ artist that studies Lao & Lao American histories. As a visual artist, Timothy’s work has been shown with the Asian Pasifika Arts Collective and with Brand New: Ohio – an artist showcase for Southeast Asian & Pacific Islander artists that he helped co-found in his home region of Central Ohio. Timothy’s Lao and LGBTQ+ heritages consistently push him to incorporate abundance and intricacy into his minimalist Pop Art style, which includes painting, drawing, digital design, and even creative writing. You can learn more about his work at timothysingratsomboune.wordpress.com.
Nha Hoang is a Vietnamese-American artist based in Rochester, NY. She likes to make culturally inspired illustrations and glimmers of slice-of-life moments that are inspired by childhood. She typically works digitally or in watercolor and mixed media. Learn more about Nha’s work here nhahoangart.store and her Instagram @nhahoang.art
Kat Eng is a mixed Khmer artist and organizer whose work explores migration, land, and labor, from an abolitionist Southeast Asian lens. Learn more at kateng.co.
Khou Vue is a first-generation Hmong-American graphic designer and illustrator. After a decade-long career as a graphic designer, she felt a strong pull toward illustration and storytelling. In her work she strives to portray themes of femininity, cultural empowerment, and social awareness. Learn more about her work at www.koovoo.me.
SEARAC’s Week of Giving: Letters from Staff
Quyên Dinh, SEARAC Executive Director, shares, “The day after the election, I thought of my Dad, who passed three years ago. While searching for his guidance, I found the one gift he bought me in my life: a small lacquered wooden heart box with a picture of a buffalo herder that he bought on his first trip back to Viet Nam after fleeing as a refugee. In that moment, I was reminded of our collective strength and wisdom, which will always prevail. In this moment, we at SEARAC are called to honor Southeast Asian American generations past, present, and future on the eve of our 50th resettlement anniversary, with power and love.”
Kham Moua, SEARAC National Deputy Director, shares, “As we approach the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States, and as we prepare for an incoming administration that has made violence against immigrant and refugee communities the centerpiece of their platform, SEARAC remains committed to ending hateful and harmful policies by leading with community-centered solutions, such as the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act (SEADRA).”
Phun H, SEARAC Comms Associate, shares, “Several years ago, I visited my family’s ancestral home in the central highlands of Vietnam, sharing memories and retracing my family’s refugee journey to the United States. As I reflect on the experiences my siblings and I endured as the children of refugees, I think of the care and comfort that refugee youth deserve during the tumultuousness of resettlement and the ways that youth voices and leadership are essential in shaping the future of their communities.”
Mandy Diêc, California Deputy Director, shares, “SEARAC’s California team has been working tirelessly with our partners across the state to develop a model K-12 curriculum that uplifts the history, identity, and experiences of Southeast Asian Americans. Now, we are overjoyed to introduce these completed curriculum modules at conferences across the state, where SEAA students like Candice Phan shared how important it is for our community members to see themselves in their education…Intergenerational solutions – like the model curriculum we developed with support and feedback from SEAAs of all ages – make our communities stronger.”
Elaine Sanchez Wilson, Senior Director of Communications shared, “Someone recently asked me, “What is your superpower?” And immediately, I knew: the pen. As SEARAC’s Senior Director of Communications – and a former journalist – it is my honor to share the stories of the Southeast Asian refugee resettlement experience through blog posts, reports, articles in the news, and on social media. SEARAC is doing vital work to build community power and uplift the Southeast Asian American narrative so that community stories, wisdom, history, and experiences are not lost to time.”