Explore their stories
From Guggenheim-winning poets to James Beard Award -nominated chefs to Grammy-awarded musicians, each artist has their own story to tell.
Each interview featured here is from:
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An Asian American artist
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Originally from or currently working in Michigan
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In one of 4 creative disciplines: 1) Writing 2) Visual arts 3) Food & 4) Performing Arts
WRITING
Author & Director
Growing up in a Chinese restaurant, lack of coverage of Vincent Chin's death inspired him to be a writer.
Poet & Essayist
An elementary school teacher for decades, at 41, she switched careers to be a full-time writer.
Poet
Acclaimed poet and educator, Carlina is the U-M poetry instructor that changed my life.
VISUAL ARTS
Photographer
Now an award-winning photographer, he got his start in photography due to a mysterious phone call with his ex-girlfriend's grandma.
Painter & Sculptor
After a successful career as a sculptor in India, after moving to the U.S., she started from scratch as a painter.
Fashion Designer
A former accountant, he now dresses Hollywood stars for the red carpet with his haute-couture designs.
Potter
A NYT-featured ceramic artist who's gone viral multiple times, she tried a few careers before realizing pottery was her calling.
FOOD
Baker
She left the corporate engineering job she hated to pursue her dream: opening an Asian-American bakery.
Chef
She never thought she'd be a chef. Now, she's a 5X James Beard Award nominee and one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs 2021.
Chef
Having lived in 6 countries, he studied pre-med at Yale and went to seminary before becoming a chef.
PERFORMING ARTS
Musician & Filmmaker
His parents disapproved when he chose art as his career. Now, as an interdisciplinary artist (musician, record label owner, designer, and photographer), he's paving the way for future AA&PI creatives.
Dancer & Actress
A classically trained ballerina turned Broadway dancer, she's been on every national tour of Hamilton and currently understudies for the role of Peggy.
Opera Singer
A Grammy-award winning tenor who started his career not seeing much representation, now he's pushing for more inclusive representation as a leader of his industry.
Director
As an Indian-American filmmaker, she changed her cautious parents' minds about going into film when she asked: "If we don't tell our stories, who will?"