Creators in Residence

Ashley Walker is a fashion designer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Leimert Park Threads, which transforms cultural history into wearable art, celebrating the resilience and creativity of Black communities in Los Angeles. Walker’s past work includes collaborations with Metro Art Los Angeles, Forever 21, and Savage X Fenty, and he has led projects centered on themes of migration, activism, and identity. A graduate of Howard University, Walker began his career as a visual merchandising manager for Levi’s and Nike in New York before returning to Los Angeles, where he expanded his practice into photography and creative direction.

Tien Nguyen is a food writer focused on the intersection of food and culture, blending a journalist’s depth with an author’s storytelling skills. She is the former senior food writer at LA Weekly and has written for the Los Angeles Times and Eater. Nguyen co-authored L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food and The Choi of Cooking with Roy Choi, and Sohn-Mat: Recipes and Flavors of Korean Home Cooking with Monica Lee. A longtime Angeleno and an instructor at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Nguyen works to highlight how food tells the story of Los Angeles—its neighborhoods, traditions, and migrations.

The Second Cohort (2024)
Live experience designer and director Andy Crocker and graphic novelist, game designer, and installation artist Shing Yin Khor.
Visit Andy's exhibit page

Visit Shing's exhibit page