About the Exhibition
November 1st - 30th, 2025
Inheritance is about what is passed down — not just through blood, but through memory, culture, silence, and storytelling.
Legacy is about the impact we leave behind — through our actions, our stories, and how we choose to live.
From the mentor, Sara Gregor:
"Together, Inheritance and Legacy uphold the idea of heritage, which is what we explored this summer: our cultural heritage. While I’m still on my own journey of reconnecting with that heritage, I’ve learned there’s room for each and every one of us to be here. We have a right to learn about our past — about the traditions, stories, and histories that brought us to this moment. We are cultural bearers, and we can invite others into our culture, whether or not we speak the same language."
PRE-ORDER
កូន Koun: A Khmer Youth Archive
Pre-order a copy of កូន Koun: A Khmer Youth Archive today and support our youth program.
SEA Us Write & Design creates inclusive, culturally rooted spaces for Southeast Asian youth to grow as writers, artists, and leaders. Its first group, the Khmer Youth Circle, offers a supportive community where Khmer youth can explore identity, build relationships, and develop creative skills while honoring their heritage.
From the mentor Sara Gregor: "This magazine is organized into two parts: Inheritance and Legacy.
Together, Inheritance and Legacy uphold the idea of heritage, which is what we explored this summer: our cultural heritage. While I’m still on my own journey of reconnecting with that heritage, I’ve learned there’s room for each and every one of us to be here. We have a right to learn about our past — about the traditions, stories, and histories that brought us to this moment. We are cultural bearers, and we can invite others into our culture, whether or not we speak the same language.
At its heart, this work — being a mentor — is about accessibility. No matter their background, I wanted every student to have an experience that felt full of possibility: a chance to engage with culture through art, expression, and reflection. What I didn’t expect was how much I would need this space, too. This became a reminder that we all deserve to belong — to feel seen, to feel whole, to exist as we are.
Even when our stories are whispered, hidden, or carried in silence, inheritance lives within us. It’s not only what we receive from our families — it’s what we absorb from the world around us. It lingers in our bodies, our dreams, and our imagination."
Proceeds will go back to cover the cost of printing the book. After the cost is covered, all extra proceeds will go back to the youths and they can decide whether to donate the funds or use it to support their artistic career.
events
Opening Reception
Saturday, November 1st, 5-7pm
XIA Books, Cafe & Gallery
Join us for the opening of កូន Koun: A Khmer Youth Archive on Saturday, November 1st, 5-7pm to celebrate our Khmer youths in their artistic and creative career.
Light food is provided. Drinks can be purchase at cafe.
meet the artists
meet the
artists
meet the mentors
meet the
mentors
Cambodian American Partnership in MN
CAPMN
The Cambodian American Partnership of Minnesota is committed to building a resilient community that honors Cambodian history by cultivating a sense of belonging.
.avif)
Sara Gregor (Writing Mentor)
she/hers
Sara Gregor is a Cambodian-American artist, writer, and educator whose interdisciplinary practice explores memory, ritual, and cultural identity. Grounded in Buddhist philosophy and Southeast Asian visual traditions, her work engages themes of healing and the sacred through painting, writing, and community storytelling.
Sara holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and Asian Studies from Macalester College, where she also managed the campus radio station and directed student arts magazines—platforms she used to uplift emerging voices and build creative communities. A longtime student of meditation, she has trained with the Namchak Foundation and Shambhala International, deepening a contemplative path that informs both her art and teaching.
In recent years, Sara has begun volunteering more actively at Watt Munisotaram, the Cambodian Buddhist temple in Minnesota, as part of her effort to reconnect with her heritage. Through participating in New Year’s ceremonies and building relationships with fellow Cambodian-Americans, she is deepening her commitment to cultural expression, community care, and intergenerational connection.
Her creative work seeks to hold space for reflection, resilience, and reverence—where ancestral wisdom meets contemporary voice.
Design Mentor
pronouns
More info to come soon.
Graphic Designer
pronouns
More info to come soon.
.avif)
Leanghout Prom (Photographer)
he/him
Leanghout Prom is a Cambodian American Photographer and Video Producer. His spark for photography began as a child thanks to his father. Whenever he saw a nice car, he would ask Leanghout to stand next to it and take a photo of him. Since then, he has come to love taking photos of automotives.
In 2015, he was empowered to be more involved in my photography. He started vlogging and developed his online platforms to share his creativity with others. For nearly a decade, majority of his photography and videography work are of automotive vehicles. Leanghout's shoots are all taken from a Sony Alpha R III with a 55mm lens. For video stability and 360 shots, he utilizes a variety of tools, such as a hand held Moza Air 1 & 2 Gimbal, Insta360 camera, and a DJI Mini Drone.
For the past two years, he has expanded his photography and videography to capture special moments for clients, such as community organized events, family portraits, and single portraits.