Asian American Advocacy Fund to Host Inaugural AAPI Makers Market to Celebrate local AAPI Artisans

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2023

Contact: Chany Chea, Communications Director for Asian American Advocacy Fund

chany@asianamericanadvocacyfund.org

Asian American Advocacy Fund to Host Inaugural AAPI Makers Market to Celebrate local AAPI Artisans

DULUTH, Georgia — On Saturday, May 13, The Asian American Advocacy Fund (AAAF) will host Labor of Love - AAPI Makers Market, a market that will bring together Georgia's AAPI makers, artisans, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs to present and sell their works to the local community. The event will take place from 2:oopm - 5:30pm at the Duluth Festival Center.

This year’s theme brings additional meaning during this Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage month. “Labor of Love” honors the ways in which crafting was and is an integral part of AAPI immigrant stories of resilience, survival, and meaning-making. 

Tiffany Chau, Owner of tiffblot 

“My artwork is driven by love and pride in being Asian American. Much of the stories I tell through my work are deeply rooted in the intersection of being born to immigrant parents in a new country. I want to share all sides of Asian American culture - from the fun holidays and food and anime to the difficulties and niche experiences of being 'the other' - with everyone, not just other people like me!”

Jalysa Leva, Owner of TOTO-O

“I create and sell cute Filipino-American art because I want to see more of it in the world. It's something I yearned for when I was younger and am happy I can now provide it for both kids and adults in our community today.”

Allison Leonard, Owner of Hapa Baby

“Hapa Baby reflects the unique fusion of cultures that have influenced me living between the South and Hawai'i. It is rare to see Hapa representation in any space, and we are honored to bring that representation to this very special event.”

Shirley Nguyen, Owner of Khi Om Rom

“I love that creative expression can serve as a vessel for change-- a method to communicating underrepresented experiences, creating a voice for the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and sharing both the beauty and pain in the AAPI experience and culture.”

Jainey Kim, Community Engagement Specialist for AAAF

“I think events like this are really important because they create opportunities for our communities to organize and connect around joy. There is so much cool work being done by AAPI folks in Georgia and we want to celebrate and uplift that!”

The market will feature art, jewelry, coffee, and more, from the following vendors: 

Amberly Hui Art

Anatomic Air Press

Artsploring

Ba + Me Pop Up

Cass Paints

Chemical Village

Dannie Niu Studio

Hapa Baby

Jaeundesigns

JenQuanZen

Khi Om Rom

Koko’s Handmade

Krysteliart

Macrayay Art

Mylestone Paper & Mylestone Creatives

NoodleBoiWasTaken

Ocean and Church

Postern Coffee

SarahBakes

Sarah Makes Art

Shakti Girls

SunnieStateOfMind

Tanbrown Coffee

tiffblot

TOTO-O

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Asian American Advocacy Fund is a grassroots 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to building a politically-conscious, engaged, and progressive Asian American base in Georgia. To connect with event organizers from the Asian American Advocacy Fund, please reach out to Chany Chea.