StoryBoards Narratives

Internationally celebrated ceramic artist and UW Professor Emerita Patti Warashina reflects on a life shaped by powerful women, cultural expectations, and a deep creative drive. Born to Japanese American parents in Spokane, Washington, Patti's journey weaves together stories of arranged marriage, wartime surveillance, unspoken love, and generational sacrifice.

In this deeply personal oral history, Patti shares how her family's quiet strength—and her own subtle acts of resistance—fueled a lifelong career in the arts. From her mother's handmade ceramics to the influence of feminist mentors, Patti speaks candidly about navigating gender, culture, and creativity in a male-dominated art world.

🎧 A portrait of resilience, humor, and the transformative power of art.

In this deeply personal episode, acclaimed novelist and University of Washington English professor Shawn Wong shares the interwoven stories of the Chinese American women who shaped his life—from his artistic mother and trailblazing aunties to the community of surrogate mothers who stepped in after profound loss.

It’s a story about memory, migration, and the powerful legacy of untold histories.

Famed educator and activist, Bettie Luke speaks to of the influence of Confucianism, civil rights, and her art on her life journey. She gives voice to the obstacles she overcame as a young Chinese American woman during the tumultuous 60’s and 70’s to present day.