Hidden Gems: Meet Laarnie Barcelon of Asia Pacific Culture and Identity

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laarnie Barcelon

Hi Laarnie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Asia Pacific Culture and Identity was started as a means to create a safe space for the local Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) communities in the Southern California area, with specifics towards the Downtown Los Angeles and its surrounding areas.

I had wanted to create a physical location that could serve as a “third space”, or a “home away from home” where anyone could come together and feel comfortable, safe, and respected regardless of their differences during a time of immense hardships and dissonance. As I am also the type of individual that oftentimes needed a “third space” growing up, and even throughout my own early stages of adulthood, it became a mission to create that type of environment for others.

Along the way, I had incorporated a plethora of aspects and characteristics into the physical location to create a well rounded physical location that had something for everyone.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Unfortunately, it has not been a very smooth road for our organization. Particularly due to financial circumstances and the current state of the economy, we’ve faced and are still facing a lot of difficulties in retaining our space and sustaining livable working conditions for our core staff and volunteers. We’re trying to actively find ways to resolve the situation, but it’s quite difficult as 501(c)3 Non-Profit organizations don’t qualify for the average business loan and at this current time, a personal loan isn’t feasible. Hoping for the best at the very least!

We’ve been impressed with Asia Pacific Culture and Identity, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Asia Pacific Culture and Identity (APCI) is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization based in Los Angeles, CA. Through APCI, our team hopes to bring opportunities to local and overseas Artists, Creatives, Designers, and Enthusiasts to the Los Angeles area, while establishing a safe, comfortable, and nostalgic “third space” to the Downtown Los Angeles area.

As Asian Americans, born and raised in Los Angeles, we aspire to find ways to bring awareness and showcase the true character and image of our motherlands, intending to close the gap and decrease the ever growing dissonance between the Asia-Pacific and the Los Angeles communities.

One of the particular aspects of our organization is, that while we have a primary focus on the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) communities and their respective cultures, we do not limit or exclude anyone that is not of those cultures ethnically or regionally. Our focus for the organization is creating environments that encourage positive and neutral forms of cultural exchange and awareness through our Downtown Los Angeles location, and our local events coordinated by our organization.

Currently, our Downtown Los Angeles location serves as a five part space:
1) Consignment Shop
2) Donations Storefront
3) Open Studio Workspace with a Free Library and maximalist nostalgia
4) Creative Workshop Classes Focused Art Studio
5) Basecamp for Local Event Organizing

By incorporating a little bit of everything for everyone through nuances of childhood interests and experiences, a focus in accessible fashion and costuming, and or through forms of artistic expressions; we had found a way for anyone of any background, interests, or general walk of life to feel included and share nostalgic memories despite any differences.

While our organization focuses on cultural exchange and positive to neutral exposure to the AAPI and APAC communities, we believe that regardless of one’s ethnicity or origin, anyone is welcomed into the environment to learn and appreciate the vast cultures that expand throughout the APAC.

As a whole, our staff is particularly proud of our willingness to take care of everyone involved in the process.

For events coordinated by our organization, we feed and actively aim to take care of all of our volunteers and vendors. For any and all vendors, we also offer credits in the form of gift cards for future events, workshops, or purchases in store for vendors that were not able to fully make back the initial cost of their vendor booth. We hope that by taking care of our vendors and volunteers, we will be able to establish a sense of trust and promise that our care and consideration for them comes first and foremost.

For consignment vendors, while we unfortunately have to charge a base amount for all vendors for the space they take in the space (e.g. $30/1 shelf tier of a 4 tier shelf), we process all sales at a 90 (vendor) : 10 (APCI) ratio before taxes. This 10% of sales that we retain is for paying for processing fees of our Point of Sale system, but 90% of all sales goes to the vendors. With this system, we aim to create an affordable consignment space for any and all artists and creatives, and help them retain foot traffic and an active in person following through our organization’s events, workshops, and general passing foot traffic.

As for workshops and artistic expression focused activities, we offer a plethora of different creative experiences for everyone. From K-Pop inspired activities like lightstick decorating, and photo card top loader decorating, to Japanese cultural activities such as uchiwa (paper fan) painting & decorating, decoden (faux whipped cream bags, wallets, accessories), and Harajuku fashion focused accessory creations (e.g. wristlets, headwear, necklaces), we aim to offer all sorts of options for everyone. Additionally, we offer general art and creative focused workshops, such as: tempura and watercolor painting, weaving, knitting, sewing, and paper mache.

We have also started offering the use of the space for private events or usage such as photoshoots, meetings, get togethers, and more! You’re welcome to check out our listing on Peerspace, but alternatively, feel free to reach out directly via Instagram or Email via laarnie@apci.studio!

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
All of the art in our space have been purchased and curated by our team from over the last 10 years! Our team has individually been collecting art pieces, and have come together to create a place where such pieces of art can be appreciated by everyone. By doing so, we hope to support artists and creatives in a way that positively and financially encourages their endeavors, while inspiring those who come through our spaces.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://apcievents.com | https://apci.studio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apci.usa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apcidotusa/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/apcistudio
• Other: https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/6693d47c241260a0a34ba24d?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=prod-notifications

Image Credits
Welkin Tang