Amplifying creative AANHPI voices in the metro and beyond

who we are

Third Pine Collective is Kansas City’s first AANHPI artist collective, amplifying Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian diaspora voices in and beyond KC. We exist as a home for creativity, collaboration, and care.

What started as a floating gallery project has evolved into a community-powered creative collective for artists and small businesses. We’re here to bridge gaps, nurture connections, and create opportunities for AANHPI creatives in our community to access the visibility, resources, and support they deserve.

We work together to:

Amplify AANHPI voices through exhibitions, storytelling, and public presence.
Strengthen creative careers with shared labor, mentorship, and professional support.
Build a sustainable, connected ecosystem where artists, businesses, and communities find mutual benefit.

OUR APPROACH

What we do: Through member-driven committees, the collective creates curated exhibitions, group shows and booths, professional development workshops, and community events. These activities expand capacity, visibility, and connection.

How it works: Artists contribute labor and commission instead of fees, and businesses support the collective through memberships. Together, we share resources and costs, boost one another’s work, and keep the collective accessible, ensuring every member has someone and somewhere to lean on at every stage of their career.

Two women dancing under a full moon, with purple starry night sky in the background and green grass beneath them.

Our values

Community first

we center care, collaboration, and creativity in shared decision-making and mutually beneficial relationships.

Meaningful membership

Clear, balanced expectations, proactive communication with built-in slow-down periods to rest and recharge.

Shared responsibility

We honor our commitments to one another and promise to co-create and co-develop with all our resources, knowledge, and expertise.

Meet the Team

Xiao Faria daCunha

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Xiao Faria daCunha (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, educator, facilitator, and independent art journalist. Wearing many hats, she brings expertise in storytelling, organizational development, entrepreneurship, and community advocacy, making sure the collective continues to gain momentum. Xiao loves amplifying the voices of members in her community and is a firm believer of collective capabilities.
Chaneryna Thach

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER RELATIONS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
Chaneryna Thach (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, and designer. A magnetic extrovert and expert connector, Chaneryna focuses on growing and energizing the artist network, bringing the heart of Third Pine Collective to life. Chaneryna’s strong commitment to creativity and community guides programming and communications, making membership meaningful and manageable for all.
Tomomi Suenaga Summers

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
Tomomi Suenaga Summers (she/her) is a strategist and connector with a background in nonprofits, social impact, and the arts. At Third Pine, she focuses on defining direction, spirit, and logistics to ground and grow the collective in deep human connection and care for KC’s Asian(ish) community. Programming, governance, and relationship-building are her playground.
Emi Suenaga

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Emi Suenaga (she/her) is a healthcare tech professional and empath who helps keep Third Pine running smoothly behind the scenes. Detail-oriented and community-minded, she manages admin that keeps the collective steady. Emi is passionate about building community through genuine, heart-led connection.
Alicia Suenaga

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Alicia Suenaga (she/her) brings her decades of nonprofit and administrative experience to support Third Pine’s logistics and operations. She enjoys making things happen alongside her mixed Asian daughters and enabling our shared creative community.