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In the spring of 2025, the SEA Us Write & Design Fellowship launched its youth circle for Hmong boys and girls the ages 7 to 9. It was a safe and supportive space to build sisterhood/brotherhood and develop creative writing and artistic skills through a series of ten creative workshops. With this space, the youths also learned to navigate and express their personal experiences and voices as Southeast Asian creatives.
These workshops strived to strengthen youth as a SEA and creative individual through creative methods by providing a safe and supportive space, such as:
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Building positive relationships
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Exploring intersecting identities
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Empowering voices
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Fostering individual growth and success
Through this program, the youths grew as artists and entrepreneurs. At the end of the program, they:
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Successfully made a zine or a short story book that showcases their creativity
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Developed their own creative products to sell at the Hmong Youth Arts and Crafts Fair
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Learned about what it's like to have an art and writing career
Hmong Youth Arts & Crafts Fair
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Youth Members
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Nubqubjais
Lavender's Soccer
Nubqubjais likes going to school. She plays soccer and is very good at it. Her favorite book is The Most Beautiful Thing.
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Olivia
Cutsey Land
Olivia likes drawing things and sunsets. She loves her family and friends. Her favorite book is Last Stop on Market Street.
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Timothy
TimmyShop
Timothy likes FGTeev Campfire Tales. He really loves his mom and dad.
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Tommy
Goofy Business
Tommy enjoys creating arts, making friends, and making people laugh. He aspire to become an engineer or artist in the future.
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Selena
Tungtung Shop
Selena likes painting and she can read really well. Her favorite book is Super Buns.
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Mentors
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I'm a Graphic Design graduate from San Diego State University, California. I love working with graphics, animation, and illustrations. Most of my design experience comes from working with branding, printing, and in person with clients. I love strolling into small businesses and local communities and discovering local artworks. I have done work for local businesses and non-profits and it brings me joy to contribute towards growing the community.
I love teaching others as it benifits everyone including myself. I also like learning new things from others as well. There’s never enough knowledge to share.
Growing up in San Diego has always been fun and fast paced. There are multicultural communities that influence all types of arts, crafts, foods, and sounds. I do lots of nature walks and hiking. There’s always something to discover in mother nature, even when it’s the same trail I’ve done before.
Now that I’m in Minnesota, I’ve come to enjoy fishing and photogrpahy. Nature here is abundant and lush as compared to the desert climate of California.
Bob Xiong
(he/him)
Design/Writing Mentor
I'm a Graphic Design graduate from San Diego State University, California. I love working with graphics, animation, and illustrations. Most of my design experience comes from working with branding, printing, and in person with clients. I love strolling into small businesses and local communities and discovering local artworks. I have done work for local businesses and non-profits and it brings me joy to contribute towards growing the community.
I love teaching others as it benifits everyone including myself. I also like learning new things from others as well. There’s never enough knowledge to share.
Growing up in San Diego has always been fun and fast paced. There are multicultural communities that influence all types of arts, crafts, foods, and sounds. I do lots of nature walks and hiking. There’s always something to discover in mother nature, even when it’s the same trail I’ve done before.
Now that I’m in Minnesota, I’ve come to enjoy fishing and photogrpahy. Nature here is abundant and lush as compared to the desert climate of California.
I’ve always been drawn to art and the creative process, but I truly started following my dreams when I noticed how fulfilling it felt to create art more consistently. During a challenging time, I picked up polymer clay, which became my gateway to creating consistently. Since then, I’ve expanded my work to include block printing, digital drawing, murals, and more.
Creating brings me fulfillment, whether it’s for myself or others. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with amazing local businesses like Niko Niko Boba, Ococo Foods, and Dreamers Childcare, creating illustrations and murals. My work is inspired by the world around me, bringing comfort, joy, and nostalgia.
Now I have my own art shop online, Awe & Wonder, for the last year and a half, where I continue to share my work with the world. I’ve realized how important it is for me to slow down and create. My goal is to help people feel a little better in this world that demands so much from us. Creating pieces that remind us to pause, be in awe, and savor the wonders around us is what drives me. Adding a touch of cuteness and beauty to my corner of the world feels truly magical.
As an ever-evolving artist, I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love every day and continue to grow as an artist. I hope my art reaches more people, helping them feel joy, feel seen, and find a sense of calm.
Amanda Wang-Erickson
(she/her)
Guest Artist
I’ve always been drawn to art and the creative process, but I truly started following my dreams when I noticed how fulfilling it felt to create art more consistently. During a challenging time, I picked up polymer clay, which became my gateway to creating consistently. Since then, I’ve expanded my work to include block printing, digital drawing, murals, and more.
Creating brings me fulfillment, whether it’s for myself or others. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with amazing local businesses like Niko Niko Boba, Ococo Foods, and Dreamers Childcare, creating illustrations and murals. My work is inspired by the world around me, bringing comfort, joy, and nostalgia.
Now I have my own art shop online, Awe & Wonder, for the last year and a half, where I continue to share my work with the world. I’ve realized how important it is for me to slow down and create. My goal is to help people feel a little better in this world that demands so much from us. Creating pieces that remind us to pause, be in awe, and savor the wonders around us is what drives me. Adding a touch of cuteness and beauty to my corner of the world feels truly magical.
As an ever-evolving artist, I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love every day and continue to grow as an artist. I hope my art reaches more people, helping them feel joy, feel seen, and find a sense of calm.
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.
Sheena Vang
(she/her)
Guest Artist
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.