Kearny Street Workshop Celebrates 30 Years

By Ji Hyun Lim
AsianWeek Staff Writer

Kearny Street Workshop — the nation’s oldest Asian Pacific American multidisciplinary arts organization — will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in full force at Club NV in San Francisco on Nov. 15.

Looking back at three decades of serving the APA community, KSW has fostered several generations of artists who found refuge and a space to express themselves in the nonprofit’s events and classes. One of the original organizations that came directly out of the APA movement of the 1960s and 1970s, KSW has continued to carry the torch for individual expression, both artistically and politically.

KSW had humble but significant beginnings. Founded in the historic International Hotel at the nexus of Chinatown and the long-erased Manilatown, KSW was grassroots from its inception. In the early days, the arts organization was highly involved in the struggle to keep the I-Hotel an affordable housing site for elderly Filipinos, through silkscreened posters and murals. KSW members documented the struggle up until the final violent removal of tenants and organizers, creating some of the most effective documentation of the time.

The KSW writer’s workshop, an essential part of the organization today, goes back to the I-Hotel days, with writers such as Al Robles, Janice Mirikatani and Jessica Hagedorn sharing their work at informal readings. KSW also founded the now nationwide Asian American Jazz Festival back in 1981.

KSW has nurtured talents such as comedian Amy Hill, jazz pianist Art Hirahara, performance poet Canyon Sam and Alan Manalo, founder of Filipino American theater space Bindlestiff Studios, among others — all of whom will be performing at the celebration.

Said Manalo: “When I got to San Francisco in 1986, it was one of the first APA arts organizations. Because of their existence they have managed to create a central hub for all Asian American artists.”

Amy Hill agreed, “It was a delicious time when I was there — the early ‘80s — everything seemed possible. There was a lot of creativity and we fed each other other’s desires to make something out of our collective experiences.”

As an artistic space, KSW has offered classes, workshops, salons, student presentations, as well as high-end performances and screenings. Through their edgy work and reputation for challenging both artists and audiences with innovation and energy, KSW has managed to remain alive as a venue. Now 30 years later, after decades of temporary locations, KSW has relocated to the SomArts Cultural Center in the South of Market area — and remained a strong artistic force in the APA community.

At the gala, KSW will be honoring organizations and community members who have contributed to its success as the Bay Area mecca for APA artistic talent. These include the Asian American Arts Foundation and director Jeff Adachi, the Galeria De La Raza — the 32-year-old Latino Arts organization who often collaborates with KSW and the multitalented Wong Family, including artist Flo Oy Wong, journalist William Wong and poet Nellie Wong.

Said Manalo: “When you’re surrounded by peers who are willing to nurture your art form and believe in your voice and believe in your expression and story, you have a real arts organization, and KSW is one of the best.”

The Kearny Street Workshop’s 30th Anniversary Gala will be held Nov. 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Club NV, at 525 Howard St., San Francisco. Tickets are $75 per person. For information call 415-503-0520 or go to www.kearnystreet.org.

Reach Ji Hyun Lim at jlim@asianweek.com.