Across Newsletter April 2023

Message from Executive Director

三⽉的⼿作市場在歡聲笑語中順利進⾏。舉辦⼿作市場活 動當然是⿎勵黙黙耕耘的創作⼈，每⼀個消費除了獲得獨 無⼆的創作品之外，消費者還可以近距離觀賞和與創作 者交談，細⼼⼀點，現場還有很多動⼈故事，可以免費取 閱。

那天，年輕⼈來聽視覺效果藝術師Alex分享他進⼊電影⾏ 業的⼼路歷程，Alex談到他第 次參與荷⾥活電影製作的 經歷。經過多天不眠不休的努⼒，結果在鏡頭下，他的作 品被主⾓完全遮蓋，最終他的⼼⾎是為了協助主⾓⼊戲。 在場的⼿作⼈報以會⼼微笑。

當天， 群「⽼友記」出奇地到場， 番打聽後得知，雖 然昨夜⼤雪過後路⾯⼜濕⼜滑，⽼⼈家們還是冒著細雪， 拄著拐杖和助⾏⾞前來，原來為了⽀持其中⼀個擺攤檔的 細姪⼥。

個年輕少⼥仔細地欣賞著各個攤檔的⼿作品，時不時跟 檔主喁喁細語，最後向我提出要求，讓她的⺟親即使超出 參加的年齡上限，也能參加接下來的⼿創⼯作坊。她說， ⺟親有 雙巧⼿，但因為移⺠⽣活的需要，未能夠好好發 揮過。

Across舉辦⼿作市集和⼯作坊的初衷是給年輕⼈代提供 個詮釋⼈⽣故事的平台，是⼀個⽣活體驗學習課堂，市集 之後，從三⽉開始，每週四⿈昏在AcrossU-hub開課。

Nicole Wong

Message from Executive Director

The March handmade market was a success, full of laughter and conversation. The goal of holding a handmade market event is to encourage handcrafters to share their work. Consumers not only buy one-of-akind works, but they can also meet and interact with the artists in person. If you listen carefully, you can hear many touching life stories for free.

Here are some of the highlights from that day

Young people flocked to hear visual effects artist Alex speak about his journey into the film industry Alex described his first foray into Hollywood film production. He put in enormous effort and worked tirelessly for many days. However, it turned out that his work was completely covered by the protagonist in the film, and his efforts are ultimate to assist the protagonist. The craftspeople and artists in attendance were familiar with his feelings and smiled knowingly.

A group of unexpected "old friends" arrived on the scene. After some investigation, I found out that despite the slippery roads from heavy snow the night before, the elderly came with a cane and a walker in the light snow to support a young artisan they knew.

Message from Executive Director

A young lady carefully visited each booth, she gently whispered to the hand makers every now and then, and finally, she approached me with a special request that allow her mother to participate in the upcoming handmade workshop even though she was over the participation age limit. She stated that her mother has skilled hands, but due to the demands of immigrant life, she has not been able to put them to good use.

The original intention of Across in hosting handmade markets and workshops was to give young people a platform to interpret true life stories. It is a lifeexperience learning class that begins in March and meets every Thursday evening at Across U-hub

The importance of Asian Art

The Crafteria: Craft Market was successfully held on March 11 and it attracted over 200 visitors to support the local Asian artists and handcrafters for their one-of-a-kind handmade products.

During the market, I had a small chat with one of the artists She expressed that this is the very first time that she had such a fulfilling and satisfying feeling towards a craft show/market. She said she feel like she is also one of the hosts of this craft market and had never been so proud of her creations Her sincere sharing brightened up my day and assure the reason why showcasing Asian artists and their work is very important in our community.

Tiffany Ore

Artists Sharing

Sarah Yeung (@say bon)

After I had my first child, life became repetitive and not my own – work, cook, clean, sleep, and repeat. I was busy, yet I was bored I lost my sense of self as I lived my life for everyone else. “Who am I?” seemed to be a difficult question to answer.

I started SAY BON as a desperate plea for a self-created adventure to which I can understand myself, without the roles of a wife or a mother. The name SAY BON is a play on the French words “C’est Bon” (It’s good), while SAY also carries the initials of my husband and I.

When Across approached me with the idea of the Crafteria Artisan Market, I jumped to the opportunity right away. I was ecstatic not only because of the chance to gain brand exposure, but to step foot into a place where I called my second home for many years. In my early adult years, Across provided me a platform of self discovery, to explore skills that I never knew I had, and to shape me into who I am now.

Today, as a mother of two, with life seemingly out of control most of the time, Across is still providing me with a stage where I can pursue my dream. Instead of constantly living for my family, for just a few short hours, I was able to be myself, to connect with those whom I met and worked with many years ago, to focus on my heart’s desire, and to be reminded on what it means to just be “Sarah” again

Artists Sharing con't

Rosa Sung (@ flowerosa.creations):

I had the pleasure of taking part in the Crafteria Craft Market recently, and I have to say it was an incredible experience from start to finish. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of the Across U-hub team, who were incredibly welcoming and made sure that all of the artisans/artists had everything they needed to have a successful day, ensuring that everyone felt included and appreciated. I'm already looking forward to the next event! :)