Luann is a writer and cultural worker. As an artist, she is activated by many manifestations of the written word, whether in prose, poetry, storytelling, research and in performing her stories through media-based practices. She immerses herself in the different methods words can be used to shift harmful narratives and to envision alternatives.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES (LAST 5 YEARS)
2019 – Current: Digital Communications Strategist, The ‘me too.’ Movement
2017 – Current: Owner, Brown Girl Decolonized, LLC
2016 – 2018: Communications Director, Family Forward Oregon
2013 – 2016: Community Engagement Manager, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
2013 – 2015: Co-producer, Disoriented Comedy
2013 – 2014: Staff Writer, Persephone Magazine
2012 – 2014: Contributor, APA Compass Radio Collective
2011 – 2013: Copy Aide, The Oregonian
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & SCREENINGS
6/17/2018 Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! (screening + workshop), Allied Media Conference, Detroit, MI
3/21/2018 Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! (screening), Portland, OR
3/13/2018 Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! (screening), Los Angeles, CA
2/13/2018 Gabby Antonio Smashes the Imperialist, White Supremacist, Capitalist Patriarchy! (screening), New York City, NY
9/2017 – 2/2018 Igniting Voices: Object Stories (participatory space), Portland Art Museum, OR
SELECTED AWARDS
2017 Golden Spot Award Residency, Caldera Arts, OR
BIBLIOGRAPHY & PRESS
Creator And Activist Luann Tan Reflects On Life In Portland And Deciding To Leave, OPB, 2019
Interview with KBOO’s Pacific Underground for Gabby Smashes web series, Pacific Underground, 2018
“New Web Series “Gabby Smashes” Is One of the Most Realistic Representations of Portland Yet,” Willamette Week, 2018
“Indie Web Series Gabby Smashes… Depicts an Alternative Portlandia,” Portland Mercury, 2018
“Life Inside the Mickey Suit (Yep, It Gets Hot in There),” Los Angeles Magazine, 2017
“California Native Finds Her Racial Identity Changes in Ultra-White Oregon,” OPB, 2017
“Finally, a web series about that ‘nonprofit’ hustle,” Angry Asian Man, 2017
“Nonprofit” Web Series Centers POC as Protagonist,” Colors of Influence, 2017
“What is Creative Placemaking?”, Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About This? Podcast, 2015
EDUCATION
2015 M.A. Conflict Resolution
2012 B.A. Women’s Studies
TRAINING
Shelly Lipkin, Film Acting Classes & Coaching
SPECIAL SKILLS
Yoga
Dance (ballroom, jazz, and hip hop)
LANGUAGES
English (Native)
Tagalog (Novice)
