Yuko Okabe (she/they) is an artist playing at the intersection of youthful whimsy and community engagement. As an illustrator, their depiction of people and architecture establishes a world with boundless potential for different bodies, languages, and philosophies to flourish. They believe that art and design elevates systems to more inclusive and caring possibilities. Okabe holds a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Their illustration practice received recognition from the Society of Illustrators NYC, Society of Illustrators LA, Creative Quarterly, and 3×3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Through grants and fellowships, Okabe’s community arts practice received support from the New England Foundation for the Arts, Tufts University Collective Futures Fund, Rhode Island School of Design’s Maharam STEAM Fellowship, and the Enterprise Community Partners’ Rose Fellowship.