Såhi Velasco (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, tinalao'an, Indigenous CHamoru parent, multi-disciplinary creator, organizer and facilitator. Såhi grew up in Washington State, living the last 17+ years in the unceded ancestral lands of the Duwamish and Coast Salish people. They spent part of their childhood on their ancestral land of Guåhan. Their parents are from the villages of Chalan Pago and Hagåtña, Guåhan. As a self and community taught artist, their work weaves storytelling, illustration, poetry, collage, dance, performance, song and film. Their illustrative practice grew as they were invited to create posters for community fundraisers, protests, events, and portraits to commemorate loved ones who have passed. They are a former teaching artist and exhibiting artist at the Wing Luke Museum. In 2020, they were awarded ARTS at King Street Station Artist-in-Residence as well as an artist in residence for Gi Matan Guma's MALI'E' residencies. Såhi is a co-founding member of queer CHamoru art collective Guma’ Gela,’ and co-founder of the Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network. They love their teenage child, pitbulls and sweet treats!
