MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2022 |
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Wednesday & Friday: 9:30am to 2pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Group visits by appointment only.
The health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers, and community is our top priority. The Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) will require all individuals to wear a mask while in the Museum, regardless of vaccination status. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
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| FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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March is Women’s History Month which has been observed annually to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture and society!
We launched the “Spotlight Series” exhibits in the month with the first one featuring Mahjong and Dumplings created by a very talented Chinese American female artist Laura Lynn Hsieh. More exciting exhibits will be coming so stay tuned.
In remembrance of the victims of the Atlanta spa shootings, a #BreaktheSilence Justice for Asian Women event was held at CAMOC that also provided collective healing and self-defense techniques for AAPI women.
We will be hosting a reading of “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella” adaptation written by another successful Chinese American woman Marie Yuen on April 30. Please join us for such an exciting event and support the work of these ladies.
Ben Lau
Executive Director
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Opening of Spotlight Series
Laura Lynn Hsieh: Mahjong and Dumplings
3/19/2022 - 4/29/2022
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CAMOC opened the inaugural show of our Spotlight Series, a new initiative with Larry Lee of Molar Productions, to showcase the work by local, emerging, and mid-career artist of Chinese descent. The project aims to celebrate the divergent artistic visions and experiences of being Chinese in American and reflects upon our relationship to contemporary visual culture to a wider audience within our community. |
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The first artist highlighted in the series is Laura Lynn Hsieh. Hsieh is a first-generation Chinese American who doesn’t speak Chinese. Growing up in an all-white, Massachusetts town has influenced her work as much as having parents who fled their homeland during wartime and who expect her to maintain ties to a culture she has never known. As an installation artist, Hsieh’s creative processes involve writing, text usage, sculptural and ceramic components, as well as video and performance. Her work investigates notions of community, culture, family, and the routine of the everyday. Laura Lynn Hsieh: Mahjong and Dumplings features ceramics and video by the artist.
First photo (left to right): Volunteer Viable Shum, Curator Larry Lee, Artist Laura Lynn Hsieh, Board Director Soo Lon Moy, Vice President Mabel Menard, Board Director John Rohsenow, Executive Director Ben Lau, and Board Director Rich Frachey
2nd photo: Laura Lynn Hsieh, Heavenly (ceramic pillow) (2021), glazed stoneware, 4 3/4" x 11" in diameter.
3rd photo: Laura Lynn Hsieh, Fruitful Dreams (ceramic pillow) (2022), glazed stoneware, 4 3/4" x 11" in diameter.
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4th photo: Laura Lynn Hsieh, Mother Goose Nursey, Andover, Mrs Neal, May 20, 1974 (2022), photo on cotton, 42" x 60", displayed on Ninja, Please Redux (2022), wallpaper, dimensions variable.
5th photo: Laura Lynn Hsieh, Health, Wealth, Good Fortune, and Prosperity (2021), stoneware, basswood, 6" x 24" in diameter.
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Laura Lynn Hsieh: Mahjong and Dumplings is on view until April 29, 2022.
Thank you to everyone who attended the opening reception. If you did not get a chance to see the show yet, head over to the Museum soon!
The opening reception was listed as one of Chicago-based visual arts calendar The Visualist's Top V picks of the week.
Chinese-language newspapers Sing Tao Daily and World Journal also covered the event. Click the buttons below to read their coverage.
6th photo: Buttons made by Hsieh as takeaways!
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CAMOC Partners with Chicago Asian Women Empowerment for #BreaktheSilence Justice for Asian Women Event at the Museum |
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Pictured above: Natalie Chan demonstrates self-defense techniques
On March 16, one year after the Atlanta spa shootings, CAMOC partnered with Chicago Asian Women Empowerment for the #BreaktheSilence Justice for Asian Women event. CAMOC was honored to provide the space for this night of remembrance and collective healing for AAPI women. March 16 marked the first anniversary of the Atlanta spa shooting. Sessions included healing meditation led by Elizabeth 방실 Smith, PsyD, CCTP-II, ASDCS; open-mic dialogue; group yoga led by EZ Yogaspace; a self-defense workshop led by 10-year Krav Maga practitioner, Natalie Chan; and a virtual Korean Drums Performance by the youth of KPAC. Thank you Victoria (founder of Miss Chinese Chicago) for organizing this important event! |
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Behind-the-Scenes Tour for 2021 Annual Fundraiser Auction Winner Mary Young
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CAMOC Board President Ed Jung; Board Directors John Rohsenow, Andrea Stamm, and Soo Lon Moy; Executive Director Ben Lau; and Curator of Collections Riley Ren gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum and Collections Department to Mary Young and friends. Mary was the winner of our Behind-the-Scenes package at our 2021 Annual Fundraiser. At the end of the tour, they held an intimate Q&A session over a light meal on our fourth floor. Thank you Mary, for your generous support! |
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CAMOC attends AACC's 39th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
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CAMOC Board Directors, Associate Board members, and staff attended the Asian American Coalition of Chicago's 39th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by the Malaysian American Community. This month's theme was Respect Optimism Amity Representation - ROAR for the Year of the Tiger. Congratulations to CAMOC Board Director Swee Cheng for being the Exemplary Community Service Awardee from the Malaysian American Community. CAMOC also congratulates Executive Director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC), Grace Chan McKibben, for being the Exemplary Community Service Awardee for the Chinese American Community.
Pictured above (back row, left to right): Vice President Mabel Menard, President Ed Jung, Board Director Swee Cheng, Arthur Rubalcaba, Board Director Soo Lon Moy, Ram Moy, Ada Tong (Associate Board), Curator of Collections Riley Ren, and Executive Director Ben Lau
(front row, left to right): Aileen Sanford, Viable Shum, Board Director Rich Frachey, Consuela Hendricks (Associate Board) and Angela Lin (Associate Board)
Pictured below: Board Director Swee Cheng is given the Exemplary Community Service Award by AACC Executive Chairman Kim K. Tee. CBCAC Executive Director Grace Chan McKibben on the far left with other award recipients.
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CAMOC joins Chicago Cultural Alliance's
Activating Heritage Conference
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CAMOC joined the Chicago Cultural Alliance's week-long Activating Heritage conference. Board President Ed Jung, Board Director Soo Lon Moy, Curator of Collections Riley Ren, and volunteer Judy SooHoo attended the plenary session at DANK Haus. With Executive Director Ben Lau, they also participated in various virtual presentations about improving accessibility in museums, media outreach, telling oral histories, digital presence, and much more. As a member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, CAMOC is always excited to connect with other Chicagoland cultural institutions and to learn how to better the Museum's role in the community. |
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1st photo (left to right): Vandita Garg (CCA Board Secretary), Jeremy Bucher (CCA Board, Hellenic Museum), CAMOC Board Director Soo Lon Moy, Randy Adamsick (CCA Board), Tamara Biggs (CAMOC Advisory Board, Executive Director of the National Indo-American Museum), CAMOC Curator of Collections Riley Ren, Jacob Campbell (CCA Board, Field Museum), CAMOC volunteer Judy SooHoo
2nd photo (left to right): Jan Lorys (Polish Museum of America), CAMOC Board Director Soo Lon Moy, Lydia Tkaczuk (President of Ukranian National Museum)
3rd photo (left to right): CAMOC volunteer Judy SooHoo, CAMOC Curator of Collections Riley Ren, CAMOC Board Director Soo Lon Moy-CAMOC, CAMOC President Ed Jung, Tamara Biggs (CAMOC Advisory Board, Executive Director of the National Indo-American Museum)
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CAMOC joins Asian World Heritage Fair at
Southwest Chicago Christian School
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Executive Director Ben Lau presented at Southwest Chicago Christian School's first Asian World Heritage Fair. He introduced students to Chinese holidays, traditions, and food, and welcomed them to the Museum to learn more! Thank you Southwest Chicago Christian School for having us and we look forward to welcoming the classes to Chicago Chinatown in the future!
Photo: Executive Director Ben Lau and the CAMOC booth
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CAMOC attends NAPCA's seminar for Community Senior Service Employment Program
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Executive Director Ben Lau attended the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging's seminar for its Community Senior Service Employment Program earlier this month, along with fellow Chinatown community leaders Grace Chan (Executive Director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community) and David Wu (Executive Director of the Pui Tak Center). The Community Senior Services Employment Program provides adults with the experience of temporary, part-time, and paid training jobs at local nonprofit and government agencies, with priority given to veterans, those over 65, the disabled, the homeless, poor English, and those who have difficulty finding work. CAMOC is very grateful to have participants Fayu Ni, Siyung Liang and Stephen Cheng as part of our Museum team. |
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CAMOC attends Award Ceremony for CNSCC's "Sunshine Cup" Creative Writing Competition
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Executive Director Ben Lau joined and spoke at the award ceremony for the Chinese North Shore Center's "Sunshine Cup" Chinese Youth Creative Writing Competition (“陽光杯”華裔青少年創意作文大賽) on March 5th. Teachers, students, and community members congratulated the winners and participants on their hard work and creativity. Ben also promoted CAMOC's Spotlight Series to a new young audience! |
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CAMOC included in video for Chicago History Fair |
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Executive Director Ben Lau was interviewed for a student film about this history of Chicago Chinatown as part of Chicago Metro History Day (formerly Chicago Metro History Fair). Chicago Metro History Day is a project-based inquiry program that empowers students grades 6 to 12 to become historians who conduct research and share their conclusions. The film is titled Chinatown; Where It All Began, edited by Amreen Lobanwala and created by Jenna Calma, Amreen Lobanwala, Samantha Pindiak, and Jacob Declaro. CAMOC thanks the students and wishes them luck in the contest! Click the button below to watch their short film. |
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We're busy with Group Tours! |
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March was a busy month at the Museum for group tours! Board Directors Andrea Stamm, John Rohsenow, and Soo Lon Moy and Curator of Collections Riley Ren gave Professor Chris Milan's archaeology class from DePaul University an in-depth tour of the Museum and Collections Department. We also welcomed seniors from Breakers of Edgewater and students from North Central College and Niles North and Niles West High School. We are looking forward to having more come to learn the history of Chinese Americans in the Midwest.
First photo: Board Director Soo Lon Moy discusses CAMOC exhibitions with DePaul archaeology students.
Second photo: Board Director Andrea Stamm shows artifacts from the Collections to DePaul archaeology students.
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Welcome Sue Babb to our Board of Directors! |
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The Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) is excited to welcome Sue Babb to our Board of Directors.
Sue (she/her) is a Director of Finance & Administration Transitions at Sutherland. As a seasoned program manager, she has collaborated with colleagues and customers around the globe. As the the proud aunt of two adopted Chinese girls, Sue is interested in increasing global understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and in supporting efforts to reduce violence and abuse against Asians.
Tell us about yourself!
I grew up in a Chicago suburb but have wanderlust. Since graduating from ISU, I have lived in 6 states and 12 US cities as well as in France and the UK. I’m a workaholic but in my free time I love hiking, yoga, reading, cooking and, of course, traveling.
What is your favorite part of the Museum?
I love learning about different cultures. The museum’s exhibits and complementary events are fascinating in their variety. I especially love the film screenings. There are so many new things to learn!
What are you most excited about doing as part of the Board of Directors?
I hope to contribute to broadening awareness of the Museum as a source of interesting and relevant information for learning about Chinese American culture and history.
Welcome to the CAMOC community, Sue!
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Reading of Marie Yuen's Adaptation of
"Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella" ("C2")
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Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Location:
4th floor gallery, CAMOC
238 W 23rd St.
Chicago, IL 60616
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) will be hosting the reading of Chicago writer Marie Yuen's “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella” adaptation, a musical (working title “C2”). The Reading is currently scheduled to be presented on Saturday, April 30, 2022 (in celebration of the eve of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month), during the daytime, at CAMOC. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information!
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Please Save the Date!
Our In-person Dinner Benefit is Coming!
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Theme: OUR HISTORY, OUR CULTURE, OUR VOICE
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
Time: 6 - 10pm CT
Location:
New Furama Restaurant
2828 S. Wentworth Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Chinatown Museum Foundation is hosting its 21st Benefit Dinner on June 18, 2022 to raise funds for the Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC). As a nonprofit, we rely solely on sponsorships, donations, and memberships to put on exhibitions and public programs. Your participation in this event will go a long way to support our mission to promote the culture and history – through exhibitions, educational, and research – of Chinese Americans in the Midwest and help make this event a great success. Each year we raise money to ensure we continue to preserve our cultural heritage and history. Funds raised will go towards quality and exciting public programs!
There will be performances, raffle, authentic Chinese food, cash bar, and more!
Stay tuned for ticket availability!
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| BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! |
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Becoming a member is a simple and effective way to get involved with the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. Your membership represents a personal investment in the Museum and ensures the continuation of the wide array of quality exhibitions, programs, and events we bring to the community. In addition, you are affirming the importance of the Museum’s commitment to bring the Chinese American experience in the Midwest to as many people as possible.
$150 = Free event admission for member & 3 guests for 1 year
$100 = Free event admission for member & 1 guest for 1 year
$60 = Free event admission for member only for 1 year
$30 = Free event admission for seniors & students for 1 year
$500 = Corporate Membership for 1 year (with 10 individual memberships, recognition in program & on plaque)
For Members who support us beyond the basic level, we offer extra recognition and the following benefits:
$250 = Bronze (Honorary Membership)
$500 = Silver (Honorary Membership)
$1,000 = Gold (Lifetime Membership or a small donor brick)
$1,500 = Platinum (Lifetime Membership and a small donor brick)
$5,000 = Diamond (Large donor brick)
$5,500 = Jade (Large donor brick plus Lifetime Membership)
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TOP:
Large Brick
7.5" X 7.5"
LEFT:
Donor Wall in Front Lobby
BOTTOM:
Small Brick
3.5" X 7.5"
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You can read the full list of benefits on our website by clicking the button below. There are also instructions on how to join at the bottom of the page, along with the Membership Form. |
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We are looking for dedicated, reliable, and energetic individuals who would like to experience our historic institution from the inside — as volunteers! We need volunteers for docents, greeters and special events. If you are interested in volunteering for us, please use the button below to visit our related page and download a volunteer form. |
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Do you have any thoughts on a possible program, a collection to donate, or a fundraising idea for our Museum? Please let us know! We value and welcome your input on how we can continue to provide great programming and resources for our community. If you would like to share an idea, please contact us at office@ccamuseum.org. |
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CAMOC Together Against COVID-19
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An old Chinese saying, 時勢造英雄 (Shíshì zào yīngxióng ), which means a hero is made in the time of misfortune aptly describes how people rally together in the pandemic. During this challenging time we are deeply moved by the proactive steps and incredible acts of generosity and support exhibited by the Chinese Americans. Thousands of individuals and organizations have been raising money, donating personal protective equipment, and providing free meals to those in need, especially to front-line healthcare workers and others. CAMOC is inviting you to help us preserve these heroic moments by sharing the stories to our Together Against Covid-19 Special Collection.
CAMOC started this special collection with the goal of recording the experiences and stories of individuals, families, and organizations during these unprecedented times. The Together Against Covid-19 Collection will include various forms of content, which can be photos, videos, articles, audios, letters, paintings, certificates, or any form you can think of. If you are not sure whether your content fits our collection or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please send your story to covid19@ccamuseum.org , with the subject Together Against Covid-19 Collection. And please include your contact information , including full name, organization or community if applicable, email, phone number, and mailing address.
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ABOUT US
The mission of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago - Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center (CAMOC) is is to advance the appreciation of Chinese American culture through exhibitions, education, and research and to preserve the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans primarily in the Midwest.
The museum building, formerly the Quong Yick Co., is located in Chicago's Chinatown, at 238 West 23rd Street in Chicago. The Museum opened to the public on May 21, 2005. After a devastating fire in September of 2008, the Museum was closed for renovation and reopened in 2010.
CAMOC is governed by the Board of Directors of the Chinatown Museum Foundation (CMF), a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation located in Chicago, Illinois.
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