We were lucky to catch up with Christina Mattos Uyeno recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Just this past year I acted and produced a show called “Hawai’i Talk Story” here in Vegas. Like many in Hawai’i, my partner and I had to move off island because of cost of living and opportunities. We chose to move to Vegas because of it’s proximity to community and being able to give back by bringing stories and songs from the islands here was deeply nourishing and inspiring.

Christina , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Christina. I was born and raised in Hawai’i, now living in Las Vegas. I was a professional company actress for Honolulu Theatre for Youth for almost 4 years before moving here and continue my artistic work with other creatives here in Vegas and as a co-founder of Talk Story Collective which focuses on AANHPI stories.

Moving from home pushed me to explore deeper into my own culture and it wasn’t until my mom gifted me my first set of matcha tools that I feel began to fall in love with matcha and the ritual it can inspire. In my matcha rituals, I love to incorporate all of these parts of myself on the tray. The tools are made by fellow uchinanchu friends. The matcha also provided by a friend in Hawai’i but sourced ethically from Japan. I love bringing in snacks from Hawai’i such as “kulolo” and printed napkins that resemble okinawan textiles and incorporating sound baths to the experience. Facilitating these “matcha moments” remind me where I come from, how I’m showing up now, and creates space for what I want in the future. I think more of us could use these moments of intention and I’m hoping to expand this practice not just in community spaces but in workspaces!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I’ve just read this book called” Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It’s all about how we as people can be more connected to the natural world and imagine a system that seeks to circulate rather than hoard. I think art is a lot like that. What would it be like to do more than just “own” a piece of art but engage in the process? I think our society doesn’t show up for artists and creatives because we have forgotten that we are all artists. Integrating more art into your life and showing up with curiosity I think could do some interesting things in a person. When we experience and appreciate art in a personal way, supporting others and advocating for the value of what it can bring to a society becomes so much easier.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

On my most recent trip back home, my niece had pulled up my acting reel and was watching it on YouTube and she had memorized some of my lines. She is also in my opinion the most talented 10 year old to pick up a pencil that i’ve ever seen! Her goal is to have a cafe so that she can decorate it herself with her own art. I’m certainly not the only person who has influenced her artistic endeavors since I can’t draw to save my life but I do know she watches how I pursue my art and always asks “am I still an actor?” Being able to show what being an artist is at all stages from fully booked, to barely booked, to learning and growing, to constantly being on stage is something I wish I could’ve seen as a child. And all the children I know i’ve had the privilege of performing for during my time with HTY has taught me that visibility matters. As a 4 foot 9 (so fine) okinawan, queer artist. The most rewarding thing has been seeing how just by showing up, I can make someone feel less alone. Or imagine a bigger future full of adventure. I like to say my nieces serve as a north star for me, because the most rewarding thing is being able to share this process and encourage their own and it definitely inspires any work I engage in.

Contact Info:

• Website: Talkstorycollective.com & Tinatealeaf.com (live on Feb 1st)
• Instagram: @tinatealeaf
• Linkedin: Christinauyeno

Image Credits

For first photo and one with matcha Alexis “Ramona” Hernandez- tag @radiantramona
For cultural shot Jenn Thompson @aj3nnda