MCAD MFA alum Sieng Lee ’14 stopped by the MFA studios and gallery this February to visit with current 2nd year students Frankie Castillo and Sherry Muyuan He. Castillo and He welcomed Lee into their studios to discuss their work and learn more about Lee’s work and experiences as a graphic designer with an interest in community practice, and advice for life after the MCAD MFA program.

“Sieng Lee is a first-generation Hmong American refugee. Lee graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a Master’s in Fine Arts. He is a graphic designer, visual artist, and community organizer. His recent achievements include being named a recipient of the Jerome Emerging Artist Fellowship; designing and developing the We Are Hmong/Peb Yog Hmoob Minnesota exhibit at the Minnesota History Center; recipient of the Cultural Community Partnership Grant from the MN States Art Board to design public art for Hmongtown Marketplace; and led a grassroots political campaign team to elect Minneapolis’ first Hmong American state legislator, Fue Lee. His passion lies at the intersections of our multicultural society, helping to bridge the many inequities and misunderstandings. He believes that there is more to being an artist and designer beyond creating artifacts.”