June 13, 2024 

Workshop - Sabrina Kwong - Neurographics: 

Bio: Sabrina is a multidisciplinary artist who explores sociocultural identities, the human experience, and observations in life. She earned her BFA in Digital Media Arts from SJSU and has increased her knowledge of theoretical and technical approaches to creating art. Exploring multiple mediums with her experiences as a dancer, musician, Asian American, and QiGong practitioner has inspired pieces that delve into her identity, wellness, cultivation of mindfulness, movement, and the exploration of memory.

@sabkarts

 

Performer - Vinh G. Nguyen

Ukulele, vocals

Bio: Vinh G. Nguyen is a first generation, Vietnamese-American theatre artist and educator. He picked up the ukulele 8 years ago and was surprised to find how easy and fun it was to learn. Since then Vinh has enjoyed sharing covered songs on his uke and has played at a few charity concerts. Vinh is a lover of the ocean, bird watching, and drinking tea. He hopes his music will make you smile. 

@vinh_g_nguyen

​

June 27, 2024

Workshop - Sabrina Kwong- Figure Drawing: The Art of Seeing and How to Be Seen: Engage in a real-time figure-drawing practice that encourages you to consider the ways you allow yourself to be seen or not seen, as well as how you notice, celebrate, and see others.
Bio: Sabrina is a multidisciplinary artist who explores sociocultural identities, the human experience, and observations in life. She earned her BFA in Digital Media Arts from SJSU and has increased her knowledge of theoretical and technical approaches to creating art. Exploring multiple mediums with her experiences as a dancer, musician, Asian American, and QiGong practitioner has inspired pieces that delve into her identity, wellness, cultivation of mindfulness, movement, and the exploration of memory.

@sabkstar
 

Performer - Paloma Tahn

Piano, vocals

Bio: Paloma Tahn is a singer songwriter based in the SF south bay, known for her powerful and expressive vocal chops with R&B and blues influences such as Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles and Fiona Apple.  With catchy song-writing, piercing lyrics and soulful melodies, Paloma's style is backed by her classical training in piano. Spanning heartbreak, self-love and relationships on guitar, piano and using electronic sounds, Paloma's songs have variety for everyone.  

IG: @paloma.tahn

July 11, 2024
Workshop - Elizabeth Blanco Saenz - Sewing and Upcycling Fabrics: Bring old or tattered clothing or items that can be upcycled and patched into something new. We’ll experiment with patchwork and sewing to explore how to mend the frayed and ripped parts of our lives together to create something new and beautiful. 

Bio: Elizabeth is a Colombian visual artist and costume designer based in San Jose. She specializes in watercolor and acrylic painting. She has an MFA in Costume Design and Production from The University of Alabama and a BA in Theatre from the University of West Florida.

@lizzsaenz.art
 

Performer - Lucas Tecson 

Piano, vocals

Bio: Born and raised in San Jose, Lucas Tecson is a Filipino-American singer-songwriter whose life is a testament to the power of music. Influenced by a diverse range of genres and media—from the imaginative worlds of "Adventure Time" and "Steven Universe" to the resonant tunes of Studio Ghibli films—Lucas's music is a melodic fusion where animation meets reality, and jazz intertwines with musical theater. As Lucas grows as an artist, he envisions his musical journey as a personal narrative and a shared experience where he can inspire and enlighten others, just as he was inspired in the music-filled rooms of his childhood home.

@lucas.tecson

July 25, 2024

Workshop - Melissa Locsin - Acting and Authenticity: Learn and practice present-moment awareness through improvisation and acting techniques. Explore authentic connections with yourself and others. Get out of your head and play in your imagination!
Bio: Melissa Locsin is an Actor, Director, and Acting Teacher with over 20 years of experience in the acting industry. Melissa has appeared in the award-winning feature film East Side Sushi, onstage with the American Conservatory Theatre, Center Rep, San Jose Stage, Saint Louis Black Repertory Theatre, and in national commercials.  She has taught improvisation with the Red Ladder Theatre Company. Currently, she teaches Meisner, on-camera, and audition techniques, as well as the business of acting at Bay Area Acting Studio.  
@melissalocsin

 

Performer - Sean Bae

Guitar, vocals

Bio: Sean Bae is a local singer/songwriter born and raised in San Francisco. In his past lives as nurse in the height of the pandemic, and a recruiter at a startup during the downturn of tech and the economy, Sean Bae has deeply felt the human condition and turned to music as his next path at the beginning of this year. You can see Sean performing at open mics around the Bay, busking in Golden Gate Park on select Sundays, and diving into songwriting and producing for his debut album. Sean Bae hopes his voice and songs reach the people who may need or resonate with it the most and find it as a pathway toward being present with themselves and looking inward.

@seanbae_

​

August 8, 2024

Workshop - Julianne Kanzaki - The Art of Alcohol Ink: Learn the captivating art of alcohol ink, a medium that encourages us to create in a fluid and flowing way. Perfect for both beginner and advanced artists as a mindful practice in finding the joy in releasing control and surrendering to the creative flow (both physically and emotionally). You’ll leave with your unique piece of alcohol ink that can be framed or made into bookmarks, gift tags, or cards.
Bio: Julianne Kanzaki, MPH, RDN, NBC-HWC, is an author, artist, registered dietitian, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and author of Food For Thought: Simple Ways to Nourish Your Body and Soul. She supports clients in their wellness journeys using the powerful combination of whole food nutrition, the healing power of nature, and mindfulness-based practices for stress resilience.

@juliannekanzaki

 

Performer: Esther Young 

Guitar, vocals

Bio: Esther Young writes and performs lyrically rich, ethereal indie-folk music to highlight the power of honest storytelling. As a community engagement organizer and event host, she facilitates and works with artists and organizations who serve and represent East and Downtown San Jose. As a freelance writer, she profiles artists for Content Magazine and covers weekly events for Metro San Jose.
@eestarrious | Youtube: @writtenbyesther

​

August 22, 2024

Workshop: An Bùi - Learn Lục Bát Vietnamese Poetry Tradition -  Everyone has a story and something to say! Learn how to express your truth through poetry to find your voice and share your he(art) with others. You'll leave with knowledge about traditional Vietnamese poetry and the skills of luc bat poetry writing and poetry reading to others.
Bio: An Bùi (She/Her) is a poet in the QTViet Cafe Collective who writes about family, queer catholic Viet identity, grief, and social justice. Her work has been featured in Autostraddle, La Raíz Magazine, and Essential Truths: The Bay Area in Color.

https://linktr.ee/anonymousbui 

 

Performance: CreativiTEA Community Open Mic

Chopsticks Alley Art hosts CreativiTEA Open Mics on the second Wednesday each month for Asian artists. For this Community Open Mic, we are inviting participants from the poetry workshop and all community members to perform.