Chairman of the Board, Tufuga Ta Tatau

Su’a Uilisone Fitiao

SU’A UILISONE FITIAO is a Tufuga Ta Tatau, wood carver, and siapo maker. Su’a Uilisone’s family moved to American Samoa in 1969. He learned the traditional form of painting called siapo in the late 1970s from the late Mary J. Pritchard, who serves as a key inspiration to him. Su’a Uilisone is now a Tufuga ta Tatau, a traditional Samoan Tattoo master, after working with Su’a Lafaele Suluape for almost seven years as his apprentice. He embraces and helps to manage the ancestral and sacred art forms of tatau and siapo, working to ensure that these unique and meaningful parts of Samoan culture last for generations.

Executive Director, Siapo Maker

Reggie Meredith Fitiao, MFA

REGINA (REGGIE) MEREDITH FITIAO is a Professor of the Arts, both contemporary and traditional. She is a fourth generation siapo maker who acknowledges her great-grandmother Saiselu Tuimalealiifano Meredith as one of the women who made siapo in Leone. She credits her knowledge of siapo making from the teachings of Auntie Mary J. Pritchard. Working with her mother and Aunties Marylyn and Adeline for many years have inspired her to work collaboratively while continues to pursue an individual style of siapo. With all of these strong women who have embraced her in the richness of siapo, Meredith intends to perpetuate the art form in the rooted foundation that was set for her to the next generation.

Board Member, Writer

Mary Anne Peck

MARY ANNE PECK is a writer, educator, and workshop facilitator living in American Samoa. Originally from South Carolina, Mary earned her B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Winthrop University. In 2020, Mary left full-time teaching to focus on her writing, working with clients such a Fa’asamoa Arts, the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and other to create educational content and offer writing workshops for the community. Mary’s short stories have been published by BULL Magazine, Back Patio Press, Epistemic Literary, and Taco Bell Quarterly. Information about Mary’s publications and workshops can be found at maryannepeck.com.