About

“Sama-sama” is derived from the Malay language and is Tagalog/Pilipino for “all together”, and “united”.

SAMASAMA (Tagalog for "all together") began with the humble mission of celebrating diversity through art and gathering. Founded in Washington, DC in 2016 as a collective art show and benefit celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, SAMASAMA has evolved to curate year-round programs, events, and partnerships to highlight diasporic narratives and facilitate nuanced dialogue. The mission of SAMASAMA remains honoring ancestral and indigenous roots while pushing creative boundaries to grow our understanding of current and future generations' multicultural identities.

Origins

November 2016, New York City. In the wake of a tumultuous election, as many grappled with a significant shift in the US political landscape, Les Talusan took in the atmosphere of the room she was DJing for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. “CTRL+ALT: A Culture Lab on Imagined Futures,” was an interactive, participatory museum experience celebrating AAPI voices and encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and connection across cultures. In uncertain times, this was a safe, healing space. Spurred by this sentiment, and inspired by DIY culture from the Philippines to the US, Les later brought the concept of a gathering that centered AAPI creatives to Sherry San Miguel over drinks at Ten Tigers. They booked the space for SAMASAMA that night.

The first iteration of SAMASAMA was held in May 2017. Co-curated by Les and Sherry, the one-night pop-up show brought together 25 artists of color for community-building and celebration, and raised funds in support of Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development (AALEAD). 

Each year, SAMASAMA has continued to hold art exhibitions, workshops, talks, and performances showcasing diversity within the AAPI and diaspora community as a platform for nuanced conversations and connection. Existing as a bridge and facilitator, SAMASAMA celebrates heritage while pushing creative and conceptual boundaries to deconstruct stereotypes and build understanding of this and next generations multicultural identities.