A Leeward Community College alumna who goes by Sasha is reconnecting with her roots through art, and shared a personal body of work at Cafe in April.
Sasha, who earned an associate in arts in liberal arts with a focus on art and art history in 2017, said her time at Leeward CC helped shape both her creative direction and career. From hands-on class projects to a study abroad trip in France, she was exposed to different perspectives that continue to influence her work today.
“Through attending Leeward, doing many different projects in art classes, going on a study abroad trip to France with my classmates, I had so many opportunities to see and feel culture and art,” Sasha said. “Everything I learned has turned into my skill and profession.”
After graduating, Sasha went straight into the workforce and now balances several roles, including work as a TV personality and collaborations with travel media focused on Japan. She also promotes Â鶹´«Ã½-based small businesses and continues to build her presence as an artist. Her Instagram account , which has nearly 38,000 followers, shares a mix of her artwork, travel experiences and everyday life in Â鶹´«Ã½, connecting with a local audience as well as those interested in island culture.
²Ñ¨¡±ô²¹³¾²¹ ʻ¨¡¾±²Ô²¹
Her art exhibit, centered on the theme m¨¡lama ʻ¨¡¾±²Ô²¹ (caring for the land), drew from her upbringing and her growing understanding of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s history and values.
“This really reflects the perspective and environment I grew up in,” she said. “The process of myself growing up and learning the history of Â鶹´«Ã½¡ came from my childhood and attending Leeward.”
Sasha also credited her professors and early opportunities at Leeward CC—such as painting murals in the campus theater—with giving her the foundation to take on larger creative projects.
“I hope my art can inspire people in many different ways of thinking about how important m¨¡lama ʻ¨¡¾±²Ô²¹ is,” she said, “and your education can definitely benefit you in the future.”
