About Us

The Colorado South Asian Artists Group (C-SAAG) is a collective of visual artists of South Asian heritage living and working across Colorado.

Founded in 2025 by artist Bala Thiagarajan, C-SAAG exists to build community, foster collaboration, and amplify South Asian voices in the arts.

We bring together painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists, and mixed-media artists who share a commitment to cultural representation, creative excellence, and mutual support.

What We Do

C-SAAG creates space for South Asian artists to connect, grow, and be seen. We organize group exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops that showcase our stories and strengthen community ties across Colorado’s creative landscape.

Our inaugural exhibition, Roots & Routes, marked a historic milestone as the first collective show of South Asian visual artists in the state. Building on that momentum, we’re planning new exhibitions, collaborative programs, and professional development opportunities for 2026 and beyond.

Core Values

💫 Community 💫 Representation 💫 Integrity 💫 Inclusivity

Mission

The mission of the Colorado South Asian Artists Group is to create a thriving, inclusive, supportive community of Visual Artists from the South Asian diaspora in Colorado with the purposes of amplifying our voices as artists and engaging with the community.

Vision

• A robust network that provides collaboration, support, mentorship, professional development opportunities 

• Enhance our presence in the community through public art projects, group exhibits, etc

• Advocacy for better representation, visibility and equity in the arts 

• Celebrating and advancing the contributions of South Asian artists through exhibits and events like AAPINH month events in Colorado.

Goals

• Creating the space to connect through WhatsApp. Meetings in person once a quarter for artist members to share ideas, resources & peer support.

• Engagement through social media - creating an instagram profile for the group (@co_southasianartists) to highlight member work, promote events, and connect with the broader Colorado and South Asian arts community.

• Mainstream representation in art centers and various venues that provide visibility for the group and its members.

• Programming - talks / workshops / showcases at other cultural events.

• Plan for growth with strategies to become a non-profit organization, create an artist residency, etc. 

Member Expectations

• Commitment: Be genuinely invested in C-SAAG’s mission and actively contribute to the collective’s growth through participation, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

• Respect & Inclusivity: Foster a welcoming, equitable, and supportive environment for artists of all backgrounds within the South Asian diaspora.

• Engagement: Take part in meetings, events, and initiatives whenever possible, and represent the group with professionalism, integrity, and care in all interactions.

• Collaboration & Accountability: Support fellow members, share knowledge and opportunities, and help sustain the collective through cooperation, volunteer efforts, and mutual respect.