Go West: Artist Talk
June 10 @ 5:00 pm
Free
Join us for an engaging and insightful Artist Talk in the Dairy Arts Center’s McMahon Gallery, featuring a panel discussion with some of the talented artists behind the Go West exhibition. The conversation will be guided by Melissa Utomo, co-founder of the Community Roots Arts Festival in Colorado, as she leads a discussion with artists: Mattie Hanson, Taiko Chandler, Margaret Kasahara, Joon Tajadod, and Bala Thiagarajan.
Go West is a vibrant exhibition that celebrates the ongoing legacy and artistic impact of Asian American Artists in the American West. The Go West exhibition showcases a diverse group of AAPI artists whose experiences of diaspora and cross-cultural identity have framed their concept of home, belonging, and self-expression. With mediums ranging from metalsmithing and 3D printing to printmaking and photography, the Go West exhibition features a myriad of powerful artworks that carve out room for new narratives to emerge in the ongoing legacy of the American West.
The panel will dive into the artists’ creative processes, the significance of their work, and their engagement with themes central to Go West. After the discussion, there will be a Q&A session where the audience can interact with the artists and gain deeper insight into their practices.
The event will take place amidst the beautiful artwork in the McMahon Gallery, providing a perfect setting for reflection and conversation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the artists and gain a deeper understanding of the impactful artwork featured in Go West.
About Moderator Melissa Utomo:
Melissa Utomo (she/her) is a co-founder of the Community Roots Art Festival (CRAFt), a Boulder-based organization dedicated to uplifting Colorado creatives of color by removing economic and social barriers in the arts. Through CRAFt, she advocates for equity, mentorship, and grassroots community building. Outside of the arts, Melissa is a passionate rock climber who mentors climbers of color and helps establish outdoor climbing routes to expand access and representation in the sport.