What We Carry, What We Create: A Conversation About Cultural Inheritance Across Generations

FRIEDAcommunity & PAAFF - What We Carry, What We Create: A Conversation About Cultural Inheritance Across Generations - November 14

FRIEDAcommunity and the The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation (PAAFF) bring together a multigenerational group of women and femme artists across multiple disciplines for a conversation about cultural inheritance across generations.Through their experiences as artists and storytellers, our panelists will explore how culture, memory, family, and identity shape the work we make, and how inherited traditions are carried forward, transformed, and reimagined in the present. Together, they’ll consider what it means to honor what came before us while making space for new interpretations, new voices, and new possibilities.Rooted in connection, community, and the power of art, this conversation asks: What do we inherit, what do we transform, and what do we choose to pass on?PANELISTS:Zhen Guo is an artist and curator. Born in Rizhao, Shandong, China, she graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Shandong Art School in 1976 and the China Academy of Art in 1982. She taught at the Chinese Painting Department in China Academy of Art. In 1986, she went to study at San Francisco Art College in the United States. In 1987, she attended York University College of Art in Canada. In 1988, she set up the "Zhen Guo Art Studio" in New York. She is a female ink artist active in the international art world and a pioneer of American Asian contemporary female ink art. Participated in many international art exhibitions, and has long been committed to the research and exploration of international contemporary female art. International auction companies such as Sotheby’s have repeatedly promoted her work. In recent years, she has curated and participated in: the “Existence” International Women's Art Exhibition in Changsha, China, and the “Please Touch, Body Boundary” large-scale exhibition at the Mona Museum of Contemporary Art in the United States. Sarah Shin is a Korean American theatre artist whose work lives at the intersection of creative leadership, community engagement, cultural preservation and technological innovation. Select Directing Credits: HELL HATH TURNED OVER. F*CK at (Ars Nova).The Chinese Lady (Stages Houston), The Supreme Leader (Mile Square Theater), Silent Sky (Central Square Theater), The Chinese Lady (CST, Boston Globe Critics’ Pick). Her work has been supported by the Public Theater, NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music, & Theatre, The Boston Foundation, NEFA Public Art for Spatial Justice Grant. Roundabout Directors Group Cohort 4, SDC Barbara Whitman Award Finalist, A4 Virtual Resident Artist, New York Stage and Film 2025 Pfaelzer Award Recipient. SDC Associate Member.Cynthia Zhou is an artist, designer, and poet based in Philadelphia. Working primarily in oil paint and printmaking, her current work is concerned with the myth of the American cowboy and the legacy of Chinese railroad workers. She has collaborated with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, exhibited at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Arch Enemy Arts in Philadelphia, Euphrat Museum in Cupertino; and has been awarded fellowships to residencies at Vermont Studio Center and the Sable Project. She holds a BA in Design from the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Philadelphia artist collective Vox Populi.This free event is co-sponsored by FRIEDAcommunity and The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation.  Registration is required.  A suggested donation of $10 is greatly appreciated to support both organizations.Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026Time:3:45 - 4:00 pm Guests arrive and sign in4:00 - 4:45 pm Panel discussion4:45 - 6:30 pm Reception with wine, cheese, hors d'oeuvresLocation: at FRIEDA, 320 Walnut StreetFee: Suggested donation of $10 per person to support both organizations.Please sign up at least 2 days prior to the event.

*Cancellation policy: We are unable to issue refunds. In the interest of building community, we ask that you donate your ticket to another person should you need to cancel. If you are not able to find someone to attend in your stead, let us know and we will donate your ticket on your behalf. Thank you for sharing FRIEDAcommunity’s mission and values.