A journey to dig deeper into the history and art of Samoan barkcloth art, also known as Siapo or Tapa, begins this summer. It’s an initiative by a non-profit organization called, Folauga o le Tatau Malaga Aganu’u Fa’asamoa.
The non-profit, also known as Fa’asamoa Arts, is an organization founded in 2021 by Su’a Uilisone Fitiao, a Tufuga ta Tatau and siapo maker, and Regina “Reggie” Meredith Fitiao, an art educator and 4th generation siapo maker. They founded this organization as a way to educate and advocate for traditional Samoan art forms.
In the midst of the pandemic, the two artists have relied on the art of Siapo to help continue forward during these turbulent times. At the start, COVID-19 has limited many opportunities that the artists have hoped to do, such as speaking opportunities, hosting workshops, and traveling for research.
Now, however, the cultural practice is taking them forward into new things this summer and beyond! They’re preparing for a summer-long project with their Project Director, Mary Anne Bordonaro—who is a freelance blogger, grant writer and short story writer who has lived on-island for almost three years. Bordonaro calls it “The U’A Project.”
The U’A Project consists of three different parts:
1) A research trip focused on building connections with Museums and Universities—such as Harvard, Yale, and the Smithsonian—in the U.S.
2) Writing and publishing a book by the end of the year and
3) A visual exhibition performance in the fall, in partnership with ASCC.
The performance was originally planned for May but due to the pandemic, they had to reschedule it.
Fa’asamoa Arts is grateful to Amerika Samoa Humanities Council, for funding this trip, and they are excited to use this opportunity as a way to foster relationships between the artists of our islands and revered institutions in the States.
You can follow the U’A Project on instagram @faasamoaarts.
