Hello, if you don't know me already, my name is Serena Chu of Chu Chu. I’m a ceramic and multi-media artist & art educator who also provides intergenerational community-building art workshops, supports programs for seniors, and mentors young adults.

As an Asian artist that works SUPER hard to run her small business, I want to continue proving that artists’ can be thriving, not just surviving, and continue to inspire others to fight for their passions.

Over the past decade, I’ve slowly grown my business with a clear vision for making safe community spaces for people of all skills levels, backgrounds and to come together to be creative and connect with others. The way I run my business is closely tied to my Chinese family background with a desire to help others and spread joy.

To expand on this firm foundation, I've taken the plunge to take my business to the next level, acquiring a much larger space in Chinatown Vancouver (moving from 400sq/ft to 1500 sq/ft).

This excites me for two reasons: I’ll be able to offer more to the creative community and I will help revitalize Chinatown both through art.

Why is my Chu Chu business important to Vancouver?

1. Provides a positive, inclusive and safe space for all to connect and create art together. Young, old, Queer, BIPOC, various abilities, my space is welcoming to all.

2. Art workshops for individuals, teams, families, and friends that promote relaxation, mental health balance, and a tactile fun experience.

3. Promotes Asian and BIPOC artists by featuring their work and services in the shop.

4. Create well-managed, safe and clean spaces for artists.

5. Unites the neighbourhood between older Chinese demographic with the new generation of Chinatown. Chu Chu will be a business that welcomes all in the neighbourhood.

6. Continue to support senior programming through the West End Seniors Network including Intergenerational art workshops funded by donations and grants.

7. Divert used art supplies from the landfill by providing a venue for resale. Lower priced art supplies that would otherwise not be used, helps support vulnerable population and community programming.

8. Continue to mentor youth and adults who want to run a successful business in the art industry.

9. Create public art activations through Life-Size Colouring Murals that provides collaborative murals that anyone may participate in

10. Continue to work with a local chef to provide free fresh vegetables to vulnerable populations

Why Chu Chu needs funding?

The 1976 building has been empty for 3 years and is in disrepair. The space used to be a restaurant/bakery and then Chinese apothecary, and lacks heating and cooling systems, so it also needs work to convert the space appropriately. The vision is to provide a warm and welcoming space that everyone will feel safe in and inspire creativity. The list doesn’t look long…but it is costly. I and my team of volunteers will do as much labour as physically possible, so these costs reflect supplies and when I need to hire certified trades.

1. Heavy deep cleaning (est $150 in supplies)

2. Electrical work to provide enough power to all areas, fix lighting and general safety (est $5,000)

3. Repair work – replacing damaged walls, fixing and patching holes, putting in safer transitions (est $500)

4. Painting all walls (est $450)

5. Replace flooring in two rooms (est $350)

6. Replace awning that is falling apart (est $8000)

7. Safeguard the space with better doors, security and locks ($200)

8. Upgrade heating/cooling ($3500)

9. Plumbing – remove unnecessary fixtures, upgrade filtration (est $800)

10. Pony walls for division of space (est $325)

11. Make and acquire furniture for retail space and storage (est $1000)

12. Acquire more equipment for pottery classes (wheels, larger kiln, slab roller) ($15,000)

As you can see this is a HUGE endeavor and for the first time, I am asking for help! Your funding will help me create a beautiful space that will help me revitalize Chinatown and be able to support more programming for everyone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you, your contributions will make a significant difference no matter how big or small, I appreciate all the support and can’t wait for you to see the finished space!