“Even if this is about my own journey and about myself, I think folks are able to relate and I think any form of voice and to feel seen is good in this space.”

—- Bren Bataclan

“There’s a way to use the real experiences of our lives and make something – it can be a funny thing, a beautiful thing, a sad thing. We don’t have to be ashamed or embarrassed or further hide our human experiences.”

—- Grace Talusan

On May 8th, Pao Arts Center was joined by friends of the Arts Center – Grace Talusan and Bren Bataclan, for an engaging and interactive event – What's in Your Lumpia? An Author Presentation and Creativity Workshop. We were joined by dozens of participants who learned about Bren and Grace’s experiences writing their memoirs and then had a chance to draw and write their stories.  

In the first part of the event, Bren and Grace discuss their backgrounds in storytelling. Bren reflected on how years ago at the opening of his exhibit, Kulap, at Pao Arts Center in 2018, Grace approached him and suggested he write a graphic novel and “planted these seeds” that became his book – Fe. Grace, author of The Body Papers, shared her own personal experiences of writing down her stories stating, “if you don’t write your stories, someone else will do it for you, and probably get it wrong.” In their conversation, Bren and Grace elaborated on the difficulties of telling stories relating to family and more painful experiences, but also how empowering and cathartic storytelling can be.  

Next, we split into break-out rooms with Bren hosting a drawing workshop and Grace leading writing exercises. In Bren’s room, he taught his group some basic illustrations of his classic food-animal “mash-ups” and then challenged attendees be creative and to draw their own mash ups! Our Arts Coordinator Ashley participated and drew a sunny-side-up egg lion! Riffing of off the title of the event – Bren also showed attendees how to draw themselves as lumpia.  

In Grace’s workshop, participants made personal connection and shared experiences of often being the only person of color in writing spaces. With a series of thoughtful prompts, Grace led participants on a personal reflection that helped them begin to capture their own written stories.  

Buy Bren Bataclan’s debut graphic novel, Fe, from the Harvard Book Store or the book’s website.  

Buy Grace Talusan’s book, The Body Papers, from the Harvard Book Store.