Document Type
Interview
Publication Date
9-6-2024
Keywords
Cultural mapping, San Mateo County, Filipino-American arts, poetry
Abstract
This interview with Aileen Cassinetto, the former Poet Laureate of San Mateo County, was conducted by Jan English-Lueck as part of the Mosaic Atlas project. Aileen also co-founded Paloma Press, a Southeast Asian publishing house based on the peninsula. Aileen's involvement with the community has allowed her to understand how culture is related to economic outcomes and how artists contribute to community development efforts. She has worked with various organizations and communities, including the Filipino community, poets and artists, local high schools, San Mateo County Libraries and all independent city libraries in the county (Burlingame Library, Daly City Public Library, Menlo Park Library, Redwood City Public Library, San Mateo Public Library, South San Francisco Library), the San Mateo County Commission, San Mateo County Office of Community Affairs, Daly City Public Library Associates, Dragonfly Community Arts, and Skyline College, San Francisco Public Library, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Exploratorium, Philippine American Writers & Artists, Inc., Clarion Performing Arts Center, and Clarion Alley Mural Project in San Francisco, and the American Geophysical Union. She is currently involved with the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women as a commissioner, with Filoli as a community partner, KQED as a community advisory panelist, and Filipino American International Book Festival as an advisory committee member. She sees herself as a conduit of stories, not just for Filipinos or Southeast Asians, but for all cultures. Aileen's approach is rooted in the Filipino core value of "kapwa," which emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals within a collective or community. As part of the Mosaic Atlas project, Mosaic Staff and Volunteers, SJSU students and faculty from the Anthropology and Film, Theater, and Dance Departments interviewed people who support and produce art throughout the Bay Area.
Recommended Citation
Aileen Cassinetto and Jan English-Lueck. "Mosaic Atlas: Interview with Aileen Cassinetto" Mosaic Atlas Interviews (2024).
Transcript
Network
San Mateo County
Participant Website
https://aileencassinetto.com/
Address
San Mateo County
Neighborhood
San Mateo County
