About the Artist

Karla Ramirez-Santin is a multimedia artist & educator, born in Toluca, Estado de México, and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was a toddler. She received her Associate of Arts in Art from Navarro College & BFA in Studio Art from UNT. In December 2024, she graduated with her MFA from TWU, where she has taught & continues to teach drawing & painting classes. Additionally, Ramirez-Santin works as a Lab Specialist for Dallas College - Brookhaven campus, & became a member of the Cedars Union, Cohort V, in February of this year.

Ramirez-Santin’s work incorporates a variety of media, mementos, & found objects to explore themes of grief, immigration, and the deeply personal moments where these experiences intersect. Rooted in autobiography, much of her practice reflects the fears, guilt, and pressures she navigates daily as a DACA recipient/Dreamer. At its core, her art is a tribute to her parents, who sacrificed everything to give their family a better life in the United States—a story that resonates with many immigrants & children of immigrants. As such, collaboration is central to her practice. Through intimate conversations & shared experiences, she aims to give voice to those who are often silenced or spoken for. By intertwining her narrative with those of others, she strives to shed light on issues that are frequently overlooked or distorted; creating space for solidarity, questioning systemic oppression, & helping others feel seen and heard.

About the Exhibition 

Hyphen Space presents a powerful solo exhibition by Karla Ramirez-Santin. 

In Nos Cortaron las Alas y Aún Volamos, Karla Ramirez-Santin uses an intersectional lens to share stories of sacrifice, labor, and love from the perspective of first- and second-generation immigrants. Through a combination of collaboration and autobiographical storytelling, Ramirez-Santin humanizes these experiences, highlighting both shared threads and individual complexities, while juxtaposing them with the negative portrayals often found in mainstream media. The exhibition’s title draws from the Spanish phrase: “Me cortaste las alas” (“You cut off my wings”), a metaphor for having one’s dreams, aspirations, or freedom taken away. By shifting the subject to “Nos Cortaron las Alas” (“They cut off our wings”), Ramirez-Santin emphasizes collective struggle and resilience, culminating in the hopeful affirmation: “y Aún Volamos” (“and yet we fly”). With this work, Ramirez-Santin aims to help immigrant families feel seen, heard, and comforted amid today’s terrifying and unpredictable political climate. The exhibition reminds viewers that regardless of citizenship status, we all seek and deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

From November 1st to December 31st, Hyphen Space offers a tenderly compelling view into the stories of immigrant families, as told by Karla Ramirez-Santin. Curated by Christina J. Hahn. 

Hyphen is BACK for some SPOOKY SHORT FILMS by local, Dallas-based filmmakers! Co-Curated by Joel Mendez-Zarate & Christina Hahn. RSVP link in bio! (In order to accommodate more folks, we will be screening this block TWICE!)

Screening Schedule:

8 PM -8:45 PM - First Screening

8:45 PM - 9:15 PM - Directors’ Q&A 

9:15-10 PM - Second Screening 

The Lineup:

• “Predator” (7 min) by Jacob Mejia - PhD biology students and ex-lovers, Oliver and Vega, reunite for a field study in a remote Texas forest. Their research of rabbit migration takes a dark turn when they uncover signs of an unseen predator stalking the wildlife. As the threat escalates, they must face the danger outside, and the unresolved tension between them.

• “Smoke Cheyyaku Bro (Don’t Smoke Bro)” (13 min)  by Prithvi Raj Karreddula - Anirudh, devastated by job loss, finds comfort in the advice of gas station clerk Sai Santosh. But when a seemingly innocent whistled tune triggers a sudden emotional outburst, the night takes an unexpected turn.

• “The Fatal Egg” (17:20 min) by Joel Mendez-Zarate - A man tries to make an egg for breakfast, the universe has other plans. 

The Filmmakers: 

• Jacob Mejia is a Latino filmmaker based in Fort Worth, TX. He has written several narrative scripts, filmed numerous unscripted multi-cam short docs, and recently directed his first independent horror short film. 

• Prithvi Raj Karreddula is a South Asian filmmaker based in Texas whose work spans writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. His films explore layered human emotions, often placing characters in morally complex or emotionally charged situations. His Telugu-language short Smoke Cheyyaku Bro won the Best Texas Short Award at DIFF Shorts 2024 and the Audience Choice Award at Indie Meme Film Festival 2025, gaining recognition for its darkly comedic tone and precise technical craft. His drama Learning Not to Drown screened at major festivals including the Burbank International Film Festival, Soho International Film Festival, and the International South Asian Film Festival (Canada).Through his films, Prithvi continues to push genre boundaries—moving from intimate drama to dark comedy, crime, and mystery—while maintaining a consistent emotional core. His approach combines cinematic realism with elevated visual and sound design, often blending Telugu and English storytelling to reflect his cross-cultural experience as an Indian-born, Texas-based filmmaker. He is drawn to stories that deal with identity, fear, and human connection, and his work aims to represent South Asian voices in a way that feels universal, grounded, and visually distinctive.

Joel Mendez-Zarate is an artist, filmmaker, and game designer based in Dallas, Texas. Born in The Bronx to parents from Mexico City, Joel grew up in Sherman, Texas, where he honed his storytelling by creating commercials for the high school morning announcements. His senior film, MotoMan: Ride or Die, won the 2016 UIL Young Filmmakers Competition. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Film and Latin American Studies, Joel’s thesis film, Hundred Flowers Project (2020), was featured in the UT Texas Longhorn Denius Showcase and screened at multiple film festivals. Since 2022, he has worked as a cinematic designer in the video game industry, designing cutscenes for  titles like Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (2022), Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game (2024), and the upcoming Halloween: The Game (2026). When not crafting stories, Joel enjoys performing and coaching improv, bouldering, and taking long walks on the beach (White Rock Lake).

matcha & music, let’s make a wave 🌊🍵

we’re taking over Dallas Contemporary this Saturday, Oct 19, 12–4 PM for an afternoon of sound, sips, and community.

DJs Forza & Hyphixia on deck
matcha drinks by Hyphen Space
mahjong hosted by Mahjong Parlor 214

come hang, sip something green, play a few rounds, and catch a vibe with us 💚

📍 Dallas Contemporary
161 Glass St, Dallas, TX 75207
🎟 free entry | drinks for sale

We’re so excited to share that Mahjong Parlor 214 at Hyphen Space will be part of the global celebration:

🌍🌎🌏
WORLDWIDE WEEKENDER: MOONCAKES & MAHJONG
🥮 🀄️🌙🐇

From Honolulu to London, Sydney to Montreal, Rotterdam to Manila, mahjong social clubs have been sprouting up all over the world, each with their own unique identity but all built to bring people together. Whether it’s Hong Kong, Taiwanese, or Riichi, wherever there’s an ESEA diaspora, you’ll likely find a mahjong club ready for you to shout PONG!

This Mid-Autumn weekend, over 25 clubs around the world will be hosting 30+ events to celebrate the communities that have made mahjong their own.

We will be serving drinks and also mooncakes from Charlotte's Homestyle Bakery

📅 When? October 4th
📍 Where? Hyphen Space, Dallas TX (and all around the world!)

Come join us as Mahjong Parlor 214 represents Dallas in the biggest joint mahjong festival EVER!

🌕 Full event details coming very soon, stay tuned! 🌕

About the Exhibition 

Hyphen Space presents a multimedia & virtual group exhibition guest curated by Vietnamese American artist, scholar, and activist Angie Vo. The exhibition, titled “Wounded Tiger,” explores themes of pain and guardianship through a collection of works by Asian American artists and activists. 

We live in a world of unwellness—war, social injustices, displacement, and the quiet violence of everyday erasure. These wounds scar our bodies, our histories, our art. Yet like the tiger that curls around its cub despite bleeding, we are called to tend to our own fractures so we may keep tending to others. When the world draws blood, we draw strength from each other.

Wounded Tiger examines healing through creativity, how our wounds become a language of care, and what it means to protect others while being hurt ourselves. From October 1st to October 10th, Hyphen Space offers a poignant window into healing through art. Guest Curated by Angie Vo.

Come dress up as your best take on a “performative male.” There will be fun prizes for crowd’s favorites participants!

Red Oak Studios 💐 is back at Hyphen Space for round two of guided floral arrangements! 

Each ticket includes the creation of your own bouquet, but you may even leave with a friend or two 👯‍♀️💕come join us in creating lovely memories together!

Additionally, there will also be delicious Peruvian pastries and a sweet sip to accompany your taste buds during the session. 

☕️🌼🥧🌸🍵

Meet Ashley, a talented artist and the driving force behind Red Oak Studios. Born in the picturesque mountains of Cusco, Peru, Ashley was surrounded by vibrant colors and natural beauty from a young age, which would later become the inspiration for her art. After relocating to the United States, Ashely’s love for art never wavered, but it wasn’t until she graduated from college with a degree in science that she began to question her true calling. A transformative trip to Santa Fe in 2021 reignited Ashley’s passion for art, and she soon found herself immersed in the world of flower design. Despite having no prior experience, Ashley was determined to learn and grow, and her hard work eventually paid off. With a new perspective and love for living life in 2024, Red Oak Studios bloomed, a beautiful reflection of dedication to her craft and her willingness to take risks and pursue her dreams.

Come join us at Art Demo Market where we’ll be popping up and slinging matcha drinks for you all!

Come do a fun arts & craft day at Hyphen! We have many arts supplies and even ways for you to make slime to take home!

🎶 This Friday is Movie Night at Hyphen Space! 🎥

We will be enjoying an exhilarating animated tale of fantasy, music, and adventure surrounding the Day of the Dead 👹

Immerse yourself in the thrill🌀… so together we can explore the afterlife while sipping on matcha!

Come meet and listen to the artist himself, Assandre Jean-Baptiste (b. 1994, Essex, NJ), nom de plume “Huey Dynamite,’ do an artist talk with his artwork displayed all throughout Hyphen Space.

Assandre is an artist and visual storyteller based in Dallas, Texas. ‘Huey Dynamite’ is a moniker created by Jean-Baptiste to signify the explosive power of color in his art. 

Working primarily in acrylics, Jean-Baptiste channels contemporary influences in animation, music, pop culture, and literature to paint vibrant subjects in both personality and pigmentation. Jean-Baptiste explores themes of identity, creativity, introspection, and exploration with Black individuals in his past and present. Through his work, Jean-Baptiste celebrates and reveres Black American culture through expressive portraiture saturated in color. 

Come join D’Marcus’ 1st ever book club meetup! It’ll be a fun session where each guest introduces themselves, what their favorite book(s) are, and what they’re currently reading. Please bring (3) books

Come learn to sketch with Mario Zie Chang, a local Dallas artist as he leads a cozy, stress-free sketching session at Hyphen Space!

Let your creativity flow as you imagine what you want as you put pen on paper.

Materials: Some drawing supplies will be provided but if you have your own personal sketchbook, 📒 favorite pen, pencil or marker, bring it!🖌️🖊️🖍️

Join us this Saturday, September 6th, 7pm-10pm, for a session of mahjong: Night Times Tiles. Haven’t played before? Come fall 🍁 in love with your new favorite game!

📍Hyphen Space, 4100 Commerce Street #6, Dallas, TX 75226

7:30pm - 🧑‍🏫 Lessons for Beginners

8:00pm - 🏁 Free Play starts

Hosted by Hyphen Space and Mahjong Parlor 214.Join us for Mahjong Parlor 214: Night Time Tiles, an evening of clacking tiles, cozy tea service, and Hong Kong teahouse nostalgia. This month’s theme draws from late-night cha chaan teng culture — where friends gather over milk tea, warm snacks, and quiet competition.

✨ What to Expect:
🍵 Steaming hot teapots and pour-over milk tea service
❄️ Iced chrysanthemum tea and other limited-run drinks
🀄 Beginner-friendly mahjong play with rotating seats
🎶 City pop and classic Hong Kong tunes floating through the space
🎟 One complimentary drink included with RSVP
🪑 Limited seating — RSVP required to play

Dress cozy, vintage, or cha chaan teng-coded if you’re feeling the vibe. Come early, grab a table, and enjoy a slower pace with us.