About the Exhibition
December 13, 2025 7pm - 9pm
Desc. coming soon
From the mentor, Boonmee and Ger:
"To be coming soon."
PRE-ORDER
Hmong Boys Magazine
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, December 13th, 7pm-9pm
XIA Books, Cafe & Gallery
Join us for the opening reception of the Lao youth on Saturday, December 13th, 7pm-9 pm, to celebrate our Lao youths in their artistic and creative careers.
Light food is provided. Drinks can be purchased at the cafe.
meet the artists
meet the
artists
meet the mentors
meet the
mentors
Boonmee Yang (Writing Mentor)
(loosely he/him)
Boonmee Yang is an educator who holds multilingual learners very closely to heart. He also enjoys mentoring queer and/or Asian American folks, because knowledge and wisdom should never be gatekept from people within one’s own community. As a writer, Boonmee has published poems and essays in various HMoob/Asian American zines and anthologies in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin; all are often based in the queer and/or refugee-immigrant experiences. Boonmee believes everyone carries a powerful story or narrative, yet the power of a story does not come from being understood by the general mass, but rather from the story existing itself.
Ger Xiong / Ntawg Xyooj (Design Mentor)
(he/him)
Ger Xiong / Ntawg Xyooj was born in Thailand and immigrated to the United States in 1993 as a refugee of the Vietnam War. He received his BFA with an emphasis in Metals and Jewelry at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and his MFA at New Mexico State University. Xiong had exhibited his work nationally including New York City Jewelry Week and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. His work has been published in articles including Star Tribune, Surface Design Association, and internationally, Inspirations Studio in Australia. He is a Fulbright Scholar, recipient of the Emerging Artist Cohort grant from the American Craft Council, and the MCAD Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Early Career Artists.
.avif)
Bob Xiong (Graphic Designer and Photographer)
he/him
I'm a Graphic Design graduate from San Diego State University, California. I love working with graphics, animation, and illustrations. Most of my design experience comes from working with branding, printing, and in person with clients. I love strolling into small businesses and local communities and discovering local artworks. I have done work for local businesses and non-profits and it brings me joy to contribute towards growing the community.
I love teaching others as it benifits everyone including myself. I also like learning new things from others as well. There’s never enough knowledge to share.
Growing up in San Diego has always been fun and fast paced. There are multicultural communities that influence all types of arts, crafts, foods, and sounds. I do lots of nature walks and hiking. There’s always something to discover in mother nature, even when it’s the same trail I’ve done before.
Now that I’m in Minnesota, I’ve come to enjoy fishing and photogrpahy. Nature here is abundant and lush as compared to the desert climate of California.