CHAT is pleased to announce Yang Mee Moua Yang as this year’s Community Arts Project artist. Yang Mee holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Her work has been exhibited at CHAT’s Arts and Music Festival and at the 15th Hmong National Development Conference.

The Community Arts Project is a meaningful and artistic project designed to promote community and expression. Through the Kathy Mouacheupao Fund, the 2012 Community Arts Project provides community training, technical assistance, and project support in the field of community-based arts. All project activities are meant to foster exemplary and equitable collaborations between the artist and the community. 

For her project, Yang Mee will explore using ordinary origami in traditional and modern fashion. This project intends to explain the expression of clothing with paper rather than fabric. It will challenge the Hmong and non-Hmong communities to apply art to their traditional clothing or daily fashion to express beauty and richness in a creative way. 

The final products will consist of four outfits made up of origami folded by community members. One final piece will transform a traditional Hmong outfit with hundreds of origami. 

Workshops are scheduled throughout the Twin Cities metro area. To set up a workshop, contact Yang Mee at mouax087@morris.umn.edu.

Follow the project at www.aboutchat.org/cap12.

May 16th Update: We did it! Together we exceeded the $5,000 matched for CHAT.

From everyone at CHAT, thank you! The generous donations will ensure opportunities for Hmong youth and artists to share their artistic expression to the world.

May 9th Update: We’re on our way but still need many more of you to give. 

In seven days, artists, community members and youth have donated $1,950. Supporter Mey Chau shared, “[CHAT] has supported Hmong arts, artists and spaces – that would have never been possible otherwise but has also deepened authenticity and appreciation for what Hmong means, looks like, represents, and most of all what Hmong can be through the arts. Looking forward to what’s ahead!”

You too can ensure a vibrant community where Hmong American artists are inspired to share their perspectives, valued for their creative contributions, and empowered to challenge life’s boundaries. 

Donate to CHAT online at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Chat

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Dear CHAT Friends, Supporters, and Volunteers:

Many of you have contacted us about the news that CHAT is currently facing some pretty serious financial struggles. We still face them, but we have some good news for you. A wonderful supporter of CHAT has committed a gift of $5,000 to help us through this tough time. He is asking all of our friends in the CHAT community to match this gift. We need your help with this. Would you consider a gift to CHAT to meet this match? Here is the formula we
have worked out to help us meet this goal:

• To match this gift it would take only 200 of you to send CHAT a gift of $25!
• To match this gift it would take only 100 of you to send CHAT a gift of $50!
• If you are feeling flush, it would take only 50 of you to send CHAT a gift of $100! (So far, we have heard from 3 of you with a gift of $100!)
We are so happy and grateful that you are part of our community.

Donate to CHAT online at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Chat

or mail in your check to: 995 University Avenue, Suite 220 in Saint Paul, MN 55104.

Please give by May 18th!

• All staff will be laid off effective May 4 – the work will be done by Executive Director, Sai Vang; our board of directors; and community volunteers.
• The youth programs and our annual arts and music festival is placed on hold.
• We have downsized our office spaces.
• We are working with other local arts groups and organizations to share resources.
• We are broadening our efforts to establish a base of community supporters for long-term sustainability.

Yes, these are drastic changes. For the past 15 years, CHAT has been as the catalyst organization leading the Hmong arts movement. The reality is that we can’t do everything we were doing before. And we can’t do this without you. We need you to donate today. Your financial contribution will not only support us now, but it will help us implement a plan for long-term sustainability. We also need your help in spreading the word and email/Facebook us your thoughts, ideas, and words of encouragement.

The staff, Board of Directors, artists, partners, and funders are committed to CHAT’s future. We know CHAT’s impact in the community is too great for all of us to see its doors closed. And you can ensure that this doesn’t happen.

Donate at: www.razoo.com/story/Chat
Email us at: info@aboutchat.org
Contact us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/CenterforHmongArtsandTalent

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop if they have one, but it’s not required.For more information on the Minnesota State Arts Board, see www.arts.state.mn.us.

Katie Hae Leo is a playwright, poet, and essayist whose work has appeared in journals such as Asian American Literary Review, Water~Stone Review, Kartika Review, Asian American Poetry & Writing, and Asian American Plays for a New Generation (in Sun Mee Chomet’s Asiamnesia). Her chapbook Attempts at Location was a finalist for the Tupelo Press Snowbound Award and is available through Finishing Line Press. Her most recent play Four Destinies premiered in October through Mu Performing Arts at Mixed Blood Theater. Her solo performance piece N/A debuted in November at Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia as part of Artist Exchange, a national residency program. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota.

Her community work has included mentoring with Allies for Mentoring Asian Youth through the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, counseling for Camp Chosun and Korean Culture Camp, and sitting on the organizing committees for MN Advocates for Human Rights’ International Women’s Day, Intermedia Arts’ Still Present Past national exhibit on the Korean War, and the 2011 Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Spoken Word & Poetry Summit, among others. Katie is currently based in Rochester, Minnesota. She is thrilled to have this opportunity to serve as a Cultural Community Liaison for the MN State Arts Board.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

THE CENTER FOR HMONG ARTS AND TALENT’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP GROUP
IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR HMONG YOUTH (14-20 YEARS OLD) WHO ARE
INTERESTED IN GAINING LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING SKILLS.

THIS SIX MONTH PROGRAM BRINGS YOUTH TOGETHER TO LEARN,
CREATE AND SHARE EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES. AS A RESULT,
YOUTH CREATE AN ORIGINAL ART PROJECT/CAMPAIGN TO PRESENT
TO THE COMMUNITY. YLG RUNS FROM MARCH THROUGH AUGUST.

For more information or to apply,
please contact Fres Thao at
fres@aboutchat.org or 651.644.6969

CHAT is looking for talented designers to be featured in our 2012 Fresh Traditions VI Fashion Show. This is the Twin Cities’ premier fashion showcase of Hmong designers!

The history of Hmong art is rooted and sewn into the fabrics of traditional Hmong clothing where the unique combination of vibrant colors and textures makes the Hmong identifiable. Fresh Traditions is a culturally inspired fashion event that exhibits the creativity, originality and quality of work by Hmong fashion designers.

Designers of all levels are encouraged to apply. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE February 24, 2012.

FAQ: Can out of state designers apply? Yes, however priority is given to Minnesota designers.

An application form can be download by clicking —> FT VI Designer Application (268)

For more information, email Sai Vang at sai@aboutchat.org or call 651-603-6971.