Discover a new take on Asian American cultures
Murals: August 26 - October 28, 2022
Live Performances: September 8, September 15, September 24
Exhibition Opening: September 22
This fall, see, hear, create, and connect. Together, celebrate the rich cultural fabric of Boston Chinatown through free creative activities.
Performances will happen rain or shine! In case of inclement weather, performances will be at Pao Arts Center, 99 Albany Street. Masks will be required indoors.
Art Installations around Chinatown:
Friday, August 26 – Friday, October 28
Enjoy lively murals and installation by: Anna Dugan, Maria Fong, Amanda Beard Garcia, Ashley Jin, Victoria Lai, Katelyn Lipton, Ponnapa Prakkamakul, Jenny Tran, Nell Valle
Create your own self-paced tour:
APM coffee: 99 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111, Coffee is always beautiful, Amanda Beard Garcia
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC): 38 Ash Street, Boston, MA 02111, A Soft Place to Land, by Ashley Jin
Crave Chinatown: 75 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111, Wing to Wing, Victoria Lai and Jenny Tran
Liuyishou Hotpot Boston: 702 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, Tigers Hot Pot Together, Nell Valle
Happy Lamb Hotpot Boston: 693 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, Mga Babae Ngayon At Kahapon - Women Today and Yesterday, Anna Dugan
Dumpling Cafe: 695 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, Intergenerational Persistence, Maria Fong
Q Restaurant: 660 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, Together Everywhere, Ponnapa Prakkamakul
WakuWaku: 2 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111, In the Clouds, Katelyn Lipton
Coffee is always beautiful by Amanda Beard Garcia at APM coffee (99 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111)
“Small moments of comfort and joy make a community special: like picking up coffee in an unfamiliar spot that quickly becomes your morning go-to; running into an old friend on your way to the park; gathering at abundant round tables with family; visiting your favorite local bakery to order a treat that’s been mastered over decades. Pockets of home away from home.”
A Soft Place to Land by Ashley Jin at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) (38 Ash Street, Boston, MA 02111)
“Since a key part of BCNC’s mission is to support local families, I wanted to speak directly to the community they serve about what makes Chinatown special. Through conversations with Red Oak youth and Youth Center interns, it was clear they valued the delicious and cheap eats from the neighborhood. They also talked about Chinatown’s importance because of the tight knit community, resources for new immigrants, and activism against gentrification. For the final image, I aimed to incorporate these themes of food as nourishment, and a common thread that ties a community together to empower social change. I also couldn’t resist honoring one Red Oak student’s enthusiastic request to make a mural with “lots of flowers and butterflies!” Just as butterflies and flowers have a symbiotic relationship to feed and grow, the people and resources in Chinatown need each other to create a more resilient community for all.”
Wing to Wing by Victoria Lai and Jenny Tran at Crave Chinatown (75 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111)
“Wing to Wing is a collaborative mural created by Victoria Lai and Jenny Tran that gained inspiration from the symbolic meaning of cranes in many cultures across Asia. Some cranes, depending on the species, are migratory birds. Throughout different parts of Asia, cranes represent happiness, longevity, youth, and good fortune. The basis of Chinatown is a community that arrived from different regions of Asia- the unity of cultures and people. Those who came far from the familiarity of their homeland built a new home for generations to come, many of whom find safety within Chinatown. No matter where they fly to and stand together, the community will thrive.“
Tigers Hot Pot Together by Nell Valle at Liuyishou Hotpot Boston (702 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111)
“Tigers Hot Pot Together celebrates the vibrant community in Chinatown and the Year of the Tiger. Chinatown has always been like coming home for many people including myself. It has given us a sense of belonging. It’s exciting going out for hot pot with friends. The smell and taste of the broth and food that’s been made with gentle care are comforting and unforgettable. I wanted to capture the feeling of love, community, and joy with my tiger characters. Their warmth and excitement for hot pot and for each other signify the beauty and the coming together of this community. Chinatown has faced hardships, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This and other forms of art serve as symbols of the hope and resilience we have. This place means something. This place is a home and we’re here to stay.”
Mga Babae Ngayon At Kahapon - Women Today and Yesterday by Anna Dugan at Happy Lamb Hotpot Boston (693 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111)
“What makes a community special? The women of today and yesterday. None of us would be here without the sacrifices and strength of the women who came before us. Asian women today carry on the legacy of our mothers and grandmothers and so on, while continuing to evolve the roles our ancestors once held into what it means to be an Asian woman today. Each face is a woman in the Chinatown community who carries these nuanced ties to their ancestors, to their fellow women, and to themselves. I invite women in the community to picture themselves among the women painted and to celebrate themselves as part of a larger powerful legacy.
Featuring the faces of: (L-R) Amanda Beard Garcia, Anna Dugan, Sophia Chen, Ashley Yung, Cynthia Yee, and Alison Qu”
Intergenerational Persistence by Maria Fong at Dumpling Cafe (695 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111)
“Intergenerational Persistence is a window mural paying homage to Chinatown garment factory workers, to their families, and to the delicious 小笼包 (soup dumplings) available at the mural's site, Dumpling Cafe. Organized immigrant women in the garment industry were instrumental in Boston Chinatown's activist history, fostering worker solidarity and mobilization around community issues. Through persistent effort, generations of Chinatown residents can thrive. 水滴石穿”
Together Everywhere by Ponnapa Prakkamakul at Q Restaurant (660 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111)
“This mural is inspired by Chinese Dragon Dance as a symbol for community. Historically, local villagers gather annually to do a dragon dance to entertain a rain deity for rainwater and good harvest. Nowadays, even without a dragon dance, it still takes a village to make good food. The stitching and sewing details reflect on the history of the place which used to be a part of the Leather District. The design of this mural is to celebrate and honor the people that make food for us. These people include the ones who farm, fish, harvest, deliver, cook, and serve - especially restaurants in Boston Chinatown. Community gatherings can also be seen inside Q Restaurant, since hot pot is a communal dining experience. Eating hot pot creates a sense of sharing, togetherness, and trust.”
In the Clouds by Katelyn Lipton at WakuWaku (2 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111)
“People often overlook the diversity of birds, and different species blend together to the untrained eye. Many are migrants and symbolize the beauty of crossing boundaries. The birds pictured are the national birds of Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Japan - Blue Magpie, Magpie, Red-crowned Crane, and Green Pheasant. Chinatown acts as a meeting place for generations of immigrants of all backgrounds to connect and celebrate their different cultures. People often come from different places, and their shared experiences of migration and building a new home bring them together in this unique neighborhood.”
Residence Lab Activation at Tufts Community Common 186 Harrison Street
Interact with artwork by Residence Lab 2022 participants Amanda, Xingyao, Yanna, Victoria, Peiqiong, Niq, Ann, Allison, and Winnie that respond to the theme, “Radical Inclusion.” Residence Lab is a partnership between Pao Arts Center and Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) to empower and train artists and residents to collectively preserve the Chinatown community through creative and artistic space activation. This year’s installation is supported by Tufts University.
Schedule
Thursday, September 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Chinatown Park on The Greenway (near Chinatown Gate)
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
Performers: shiori_kubrick, Orca Bones
Thursday, September 15, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Chinatown Park on The Greenway (near Chinatown Gate)
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
Performers: Maddie Lam, Shaw Pong Liu, and Maple Leaf Senior Dancers
Thursday, September 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Pao Arts Center
Opening Reception | GHOST ROOTS: A New Ganggangsullae
Through GHOST ROOTS, Multi-disciplinary Artist Soyoung L. Kim explores the possibilities of a future of solidarity, care, and celebration through the stories of two Asian American women.
Saturday, September 24, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Chinatown Park on The Greenway (near Chinatown Gate)
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
Performers: Alex Wan’s Group, Anju, Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy
Endurance Streets, Opening Day \ Chinese Historical Society of New England and Tisch College’s Program for Public Humanities at Tufts University
Endurance Streets 堅韌的街道: Resilience and Response in Boston’s Chinese Community is a two-part bilingual installation of public-facing window panels at Two Boylston Street and 116 Harrison Ave (corner of Kneeland Street). Join CHSNE for a meet and greet!
Visual Artists:
Amanda Beard Garcia (she/her) is a multiracial, second generation Chinese American and a muralist, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Dracut, MA. Amanda is co-founder and principal of Likemind Design, a custom mural and design studio with a mission to elevate the brands of small, independently-owned businesses “just like us.” When she's not creating, you can usually find her wandering rock concerts, home-improving, and being trailed by her pets Pica and Mei-Mei.
Anna Dugan, also known as artist Annadidathing, is a mixed race Filipino American mural artist based out of Salem, MA. Anna's work celebrates her heritage, navigates the complexities of identity as a mixed race person, and creates space for vulnerable & honest discussion on the concepts of identity, growth, community, and mental health. Anna dives into these complex themes through vibrant colors, patterns, storytelling, and modern folk art inspired styles.
Maria Fong is an artist from Berkeley, California. A 2021 graduate of the BFA program at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, Maria works in hand drawn and stop motion animation, drawing, performance art, and bookmaking. Maria's collaborative artworks explore racialized and politicized spaces, community building, and participatory storytelling.
Ashley Jin is a Chinese-American artist based in Somerville, MA. She works primarily in drawing and printmaking, and blends prose and image to explore memory, growing pains, and Asian-American identity. She currently studies at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and is interested in the ways that art can leverage coalition building in marginalized communities. In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, cooking, listening to music, and asking people if they identify more as avocados or onions.
I'm Victoria Lai and a junior Illustration student with a minor in Animation. I'm a 2022 ResLab artist that also volunteers at multiple non-profit organizations such as Rise Up Animation and Asian Queens in Animation, where I create social media graphics amplifying BIPOC voices and strengthening bonds within these communities. Currently, I'm working as a freelance character designer in animation, who hopes to continue creating characters to share underrepresented stories and experiences across the globe. In my free time, I enjoy making earrings and necklaces by giving new life to old pieces of jewelry I've collected over the years!
Katelyn Lipton is a Korean American artist who uses her art as a tool of expression, healing and manifestation. She explores the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world often depicting her admiration of birds. Lipton’s art practice also celebrates her Korean heritage, as symbols and motifs from Korean folk art influence her work.
Ponnapa is an artist and landscape architect based in Massachusetts. Her work overlaps between fine art and landscape design focusing on the relationship between human and the surrounding environment. Ponnapa holds a Master’s agree in Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was a Residence Lab artist in 2019 and co-created a design for “Where We Belong” with ACDC’s A-VOYCE youth in 2021. Her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the Provincetown Banner. Ponnapa currently is a member at Kingston Gallery and a registered landscape architect at the interdisciplinary design firm, Sasaki.
I am a Vietnamese-American artist who is based in Boston. Currently, I am studying graphic design and have an interest in illustration and painting. What drives my passion for design is hearing about the experiences of others in relation to each piece.
Being a Chinese-American adoptee and having grown up in a predominantly white suburb, Chinatown has always felt like home to Nell. The rich history, culture, and food has comforted her while navigating bustling Boston and learning about her culture. She loves dim sum with friends and trying different bubble tea drinks. Her favorite now is lychee green tea with white pearls from Gong Cha.
Nell is a Boston-based illustrator who graduated from MassArt with a BFA in illustration and minor in creative writing. She is currently attending Lesley University for her Master’s in Art Education while working freelance illustration.
Performance Artists:
Alex Wan’s Group is a Boston based band performs in Boston, NYC, LA, Hong Kong. Featuring Alex Wan (Guitar/Vocals), Yukiko Fujii (Bass/Vocals), Ted Wan (Guitar/Vocals), Brian Calabro (Drums)
Anju is a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer shaped by the people and places in Minnesota and Massachusetts. Their music conjures imaginary lovers, scents of citrus, and visions of hairy brown skin under the sun. Anju was highlighted by NPR’s All Songs Considered as an outstanding Tiny Desk Contest entrant, and they were commissioned by South Asian American Digital Archive to create original music for a sound tour of immigrant history in Philadelphia. They are currently teaching piano, violin, and guitar to young musicians and working on their debut full-length album. You can connect and follow their journey @anjutunes on social media and www.anjutunes.com.
Maddie Lam's cloudy indie music is straight from and to the heart. She bravely bares her soul on the stage, a no-frills solo act that captivates with pure presence and honesty. Her songs are carefully constructed and delivered with a delicate vulnerability, taking us cathartically through a difficult subconscious, never losing their tranquil grounding. Born and raised by immigrant parents in the Greater Boston Area, she cultivated softness and truth telling to heal our collective wounds.
Orca Bones is a Boston-based multilingual indie rock band that writes and plays original songs in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Since their formation in 2021, Orca Bones has been playing their unique blend of surf punk, shoegaze, and math rock all around Boston. Their first EP is in the works and forecasted to release on all streaming platforms this autumn. Orca Bones are Jujube K. Wong and Chris Canieso.
Violinist, erhu player and composer Shaw Pong Liu activates dialogue, community-building and healing through listening-based creative collaborations. As City of Boston Artist-in-Residence she created Code Listen, collaborating with mothers who’ve lost sons to homicide, Boston police officers, and teen artists to share stories and create original music for healing and dialogue. Other projects include Sing Home, a community songsharing project in Boston’s Chinatown and Traces, an oral history-based composition exploring residents’ stories in Providence, RI.
shiori_kubrick is a Boston-based Jpop band that draws influence from online Japanese internet culture and indie music. Their music seeks to provide western audiences with an authentic Jpop experience while also delivering a message of hope.
Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy
Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy of Malden & Quincy, MA, is a world-class representative of the Wah Lum Kung Fu of U.S.A., a kung fu system that has roots in Greater Boston for almost 50 years, with robust national and international presence and recognition. The Wah Lum Malden & Quincy Academy has been established for more than 15 years and serves as an anchor for healthy mind, body, spirit, and community development for all ages. Members of Wah Lum Malden & Quincy are not only passionate about promoting the arts of Chinese cultures in dragon dance, lion dance, kung fu, and tai chi, but also committed to meaningful and impactful community and civic leadership.
Maple Leaf Senior Dancers is a group of senior dancers who take weekly dance classes at Pao Arts Center. Their last performance was for Pao Arts Center’s “Nurturing Our Voices” event in winter 2021.
This event is made possible by our sponsors:
PRESENTING
PLATINUM
GOLD
EVENT PRESENTERS
Dr. Elaine Li Shiang and the MeiMei Dumpling Company
BENEFACTOR
PATRON
FRIEND
COMMUNITY
PARTNERS
RESTAURANT PARTNERS
Become a Sponsor: Click here or contact Sophia Chen for more information.