Building Legacies

45 Years of Art and Resistance

ATTN: It's not too late to send in a donation. Commemorate KSW's 45 years by clicking here.

On Thursday April 19, 2018 45 Years of Art and Resistance came together at KSW's 45th Anniversary Gala. Hosted by the Chinese Culture Center, the event brought together KSW artists of different generations and supporters of the organization throughout the years. KSW's OGs were in the house; supporting orgs like Asian Law Caucus (ALC), Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS), and Filipino American Development Foundation (SoMa Pilipinas) rolled in deep; and we were even fortunate to have literary luminaries like Maxine Hong Kingston, Karen Tei Yamashita, and R. Zamora Linmark in the house.

Guests were treated to a delicious meal prepared by Sita Bhaumik of People's Kitchen Collective. And ask anyone there about that almond cake we had for dessert!

A panel of former KSW executive directors selected Weston Teruya as the inaugural recipient of the KSW Ignite Award. Weston, along with fellow nominees, Jerome Reyes and Kayan Cheung, have done such important work in our communities.

Jessica Hagedorn read us a few of the poems she had written while taking workshops at KSW and had a great discussion with Bernice Yeung about her storied career, Brenda Wong-Aoki brought us back with stories of the early days of KSW, and Ruby Ibarra had the entire room throwing their hands up!

Sunny Angulo, chief of staff to supervisor Aaron Peskin, presented us with the official proclamation declaring April 19, 2018 Kearny Street Workshop Day in San Francisco! 

It was a magical night. Thank you to everyone who joined us, thanks to all of you who keep supporting this organization, and thanks to all of you who keep making brave and beautiful art! To quote KSW Artistic Director, Jason Bayani, "This is 45 years of work that so many amazing artists and activists and organizers poured their hearts into. Let’s honor that work. Let’s make sure KSW is here for another 45 years and beyond."