"Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me"

2
10/31/2007 06:57 AM "Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me" Page 1 of 2 http://www.hmongtimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=953&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=&S=1 Contact Us Home Articles / Columns Classifieds Business Directory Advertising Rates Subscription Form About Us Legal / Privacy Event Calendar Photo of the Week Site Search search Advanced Search home : community Wednesday, October 31, 2007 10/23/2007 11:47:00 AM Email this article Print this article "Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me" Talented Young Hmong-Artists tell their story through art. By Pa Her Hmong Times Contributing Writer On Oct. 12, 2007, people from around the Twin Cities came to experience the work of talented young Hmong-Artists during the "Saib Kuv" or "Watch Me" art exhibit hosted in downtown St. Paul by the In Progress Foundation. The exhibit is adorned with colorful artworks displayed on every wall, and artists dressed in their traditional outfits with smiles on their face. The artsy environment presented a sophisticated collection of artwork from various artists. The artists stayed close to their respective artwork. As people walked by to view the art, the artists explained to the audience the story behind their work. Kristine Sorensen, executive director of In Progress, said, "Their work shapes what they do in terms of how they tell their story through their eyes." Sorensen shared a memory of when an 11-year-old girl, Gao Na Xiong, came into the program and shared her knowledge of photography skills to her peers. Sorensen also explained, "Their young age is valuable to them, and will be a benefit for them to grow even more so they can become the very best at what they do." Every artist had a unique way of expressing their work. Choua Lor, 12, gives her artwork a unique look and a great story is hidden behind the art. Lor wore a glittering bracelet on one hand, which she said draws to the attention of beauty. When asked about her artwork, Lor said, "My artwork represents my Hmong culture and the bracelet represents me, because it's red and to me red stands for being energetic, outgoing, friendly, loving, and just being who I am," Every artist held a special story behind their art. < October > S MTWT F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 St. Paul, MN

description

< October > Business Directory Advertising Rates Subscription Form Kristine Sorensen, executive director of In Progress, said, "Their work shapes what they do in terms of how they tell their story through their eyes." Sorensen shared a memory of when an 11-year-old girl, Gao Na Xiong, came into the program and shared her knowledge of photography skills to her peers. Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Articles / Columns Every artist had a unique way of expressing their work. Classifieds search

Transcript of "Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me"

10/31/2007 06:57 AM"Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me"

Page 1 of 2http://www.hmongtimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=953&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=&S=1

Contact UsHome

Articles / Columns

Classifieds

Business DirectoryAdvertising RatesSubscription Form

About UsLegal / Privacy

Event CalendarPhoto of the Week

Site Search

search Advanced Search

home : community Wednesday, October 31, 2007

10/23/2007 11:47:00 AM Email this article • Print this article

"Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me"Talented Young Hmong-Artists tell their story through art.

By Pa HerHmong Times Contributing Writer

On Oct. 12, 2007, people from around theTwin Cities came to experience the work oftalented young Hmong-Artists during the"Saib Kuv" or "Watch Me" art exhibit hostedin downtown St. Paul by the In ProgressFoundation.

The exhibit is adorned with colorfulartworks displayed on every wall, andartists dressed in their traditional outfitswith smiles on their face. The artsyenvironment presented a sophisticatedcollection of artwork from various artists.

The artists stayed close to their respectiveartwork. As people walked by to view theart, the artists explained to the audiencethe story behind their work.

Kristine Sorensen, executive director of InProgress, said, "Their work shapes whatthey do in terms of how they tell their storythrough their eyes." Sorensen shared amemory of when an 11-year-old girl, GaoNa Xiong, came into the program andshared her knowledge of photography skillsto her peers.

Sorensen also explained, "Their young ageis valuable to them, and will be a benefitfor them to grow even more so they canbecome the very best at what they do."

Every artist had a unique way of expressing their work.

Choua Lor, 12, gives her artwork a unique look and a great story is hiddenbehind the art. Lor wore a glittering bracelet on one hand, which she saiddraws to the attention of beauty. When asked about her artwork, Lor said, "Myartwork represents my Hmong culture and the bracelet represents me, becauseit's red and to me red stands for being energetic, outgoing, friendly, loving, andjust being who I am,"

Every artist held a special story behind their art.

< October >S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 67 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 2021 22 23 24 25 26 2728 29 30 31

St. Paul, MN

10/31/2007 06:57 AM"Saib Kuv," the Hmong in art exhibit, "Watch Me"

Page 2 of 2http://www.hmongtimes.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=953&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=&S=1

Artist and program coordinator of In Progress, Sai Thao, discovered her specialtalent at age 15. From that moment on, Sai allowed art to be her voice. Later,on her 18th birthday, she made the decision to dedicate her time to help localartists grow by assisting them to reach their potential.

Thao said, "Art has really changed my life because it gives me an opportunityto help younger artists and to challenge them to become the best at what theydo."

Thao, along with Kristine Sorensen and Mina Blyly-Strauss, began the Centerfor Art Criticism in 1997. The mission then was to build an organization aroundadult artists. After the Center for Art Criticism was formed, there was a greatinterest among youth artists and the organization made changes toaccommodate these aspiring young artists. In 2000, the youth program tookover, and the art organization In Progress was born. Each year, In Progresspartners with urban, rural, and tribal communities to provide quality mentorshipsthat contribute to building the public voice of those least heard in our nation,serving more than 1,000 youth each year.

In Progress' mission focuses on diversifying cultural dialogue and paving theway for new voices in the field of media arts. In Progress provides manyopportunities for young artist to develop their skills as storytellers and artists,and play a leadership role through the use of digital media. Thao and herpartners are also involved with a program called the Critical Eye. Critical Eyeprovides participants ages 14-19 years old a chance to explore digital mediaart as well as giving artists a chance to improve their art skills.

The art exhibit, "Saib Kuv," will remain open through January 2008 at InProgress in downtown St. Paul. The exhibit is also available for viewing byappointment. For more information about In Progress you can visit their websiteat: www.in-progress.org or for a personal tour of the exhibit you can contact SaiThao at: [email protected] or 651-228-1271.

© 2005 HMONG TIMES, All rights reserved962 University Ave., St. Paul, MN. 55104

Bus: (651) 224-9395, Toll Free: (888) 229-9577, Fax: (651) 228-9049

Software © 1998-2007 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved