Lila Meleisea is an interdisciplinary artist. Her work has seen her co-collaborate immersive works for gallery spaces, and perform on saxophone, kora, Greenwood musical leather sculptures and percussion on a myriad of occasions in diverse and broad global stages and environments. Her Samoan ancestry, love for the natural world, background in education and healing practice continue to influence her work as artist. Her deepening concern around climate justice and global mental health/ wellbeing issues now moves her in a direction to create works that are immersive and transformative with the main intention being to heal, inspire, educate and activate positive change. First Nations and indigenous knowledge, skills and wisdom, meditation practices and the use of sound and light for healing continue to inform Meleisea’s practice.

Reggie Meredith is a traditional and contemporary visual artist & educator from Leone village who has maintained the stewardship of Siapo bark cloth making in Tutuila, American Samoa. She has taught Art courses at the college and university level for both the American Samoa Community College and the University of Hawaii for over 30 years, while sharing her knowledge of siapo making at various symposiums, workshops, and gatherings. Her quest to support the Arts at the grassroots level has inspired her to co-found Folauga ole Tatau ma laga Aganuu FaaSamoa (Faasamoaarts.com), a non-profit organization that aims to breathe new life into maintaining and perpetuating of the Samoan arts for generations to come. 

Su’a Uilisone Fitiao is a tufuga ta Tatau from the village of Matuu, American Samoa. He trained under the tutelege of Su’a Lafaele Suluape for almost seven years before earning his title of Su’a. Beside his calling to become a Tufuga, Su’a Uilisone is very versed in wood carving and Siapo, the bark cloth art form of Samoa. As co-founder to Folauga ole Tatau ma laga Aganuu FaaSamoa, Su’a shares his multi-faceted artistic expertise to others with the desire to generate and nurture emerging young artists.

Tusolo Aumale comes from a long lineage of siapo makers, hailing from the village of Siutu, Samoa.  Her family make their living from making siapo for large government commissions and tourist orders.  They grow and source all that they need in their garden and from local sources. Tusolo is both collaborator and siapo making teacher to Lila for this project. Siutu is one of the few villages in Samoa whose community preserves and continues the traditional practice of siapo making.

Grace Vanilau is a Naarm-based Samoan mama, cultural producer, and interdisciplinary artist. With over 30 years of experience, she has been a driving force in producing and advocating for innovative platforms for Moana Pasifika creatives and diaspora, fostering intercultural dialogue and collaboration.

She has performed and exhibited across numerous local and international platforms, including La Femmes Funk Festival (Kanaky), Festival du Cannes (France), RLS Museum (Samoa), Museums Victoria, and the Mirror exhibition at the State Library of Victoria, where she is also currently undertaking a creative fellowship exploring Samoan matriarchy and body sovereignty.

Natalia Mann is an harpist and resonance artist. Her work is contemporary and environmental, always questioning: “If all the world is vibration… “. As a resonance artist she explores the languages of art and nature. This has led her to interpret paintings and sculptures, landscapes and skies on her harp. She has performed resonance music at Kickarts Gallery, Centre of Contemporary Arts and UMI Arts, and Australian Galleries in Sydney.