May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and there are so many ways to celebrate! We’ve rounded up some of the ways, but we would love to hear some suggestions from you as well. Please send us a message at info@creativecollectivema.com with the subject heading “Celebrate AAPI.”
Learn, Celebrate, Explore
Dive into these great events and exhibits with local culture institution to learn more about AAPI heritage both locally and globally!
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum also holds the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of cross-cultural art from Asia. Here are some ongoing exhibits at The Peabody Essex Museum:
- Yin Yun Tang: A Chinese House: During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a prosperous merchant surnamed Huang built a stately sixteen-bedroom house in China’s southeastern Huizhou region, calling his home Yin Yu Tang.
- South Asian Art: Following independence from British Rule in 1947, artists in India aimed to uncover a visual language that was uniquely Indian in inspiration to convey their experiences, struggles, ambitions and dreams. Bridging myth with social and political history, the new Chester and Davida Herwitz Gallery tells the story of nation-building and self-discovery through works by India’s most celebrated artistic geniuses of the 20th century.
- Double Happiness: Celebration in Chinese Art: Come and experience the liveliness of a drinking party, the opulence of a royal wedding and poetic evocation of spring on a delicate dish. With more than 30 highlights from the museum’s wide-ranging Chinese collection spanning 3,000 years, this exhibition celebrates China’s artistic achievements crystallized in seasonal festivals, religious ceremonies and celebrations. Discover plants and animals, myths and symbols and decipher the Chinese character for “Double Happiness.” Located in the YYT Interpretive Gallery.
- Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global: Discover the beauty and complex stories behind PEM’s celebrated Japanese export art collection. The new installation takes visitors on a journey through time — from the arrival of Portuguese merchants in the 1500s through Japan’s emergence on the world stage in the late 19th century and beyond. Throughout, the story is punctuated with stunning works of art, including extraordinary loans from a private collection and many objects on view for the first time since PEM’s 2016 exhibition Asia in Amsterdam. Located in the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Gallery.
- Japanese Art: PEM’s remarkably long relationship with Japan extends back more than 200 years. Encompassing everyday objects and the fine arts, the museum’s Japanese collection is distinguished for its range, from paintings and sculpture to decorative arts and costumes and textiles. Spanning northern Hokkaido to Okinawa in the south, and prehistoric periods to the present, these objects illuminate the varied artistic and cultural traditions of this country.
Pao Arts Center
Pao Arts Center was established in 2017 as a visionary program collaboration between Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC). Located at 99 Albany Street in downtown Boston, Pao Arts Center is Chinatown’s first arts and cultural center.
Upcoming Events:
- Boston Road Runners: AAPI 5K – Sunday, May 1, 9:00am
- Lantern Gala Festival – Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Bamboo Circle Monthly Meeting – Thursday, May 26, 2022, 6:30 PM 7:30 PM
Xiran Jay Zhao with Jeff Kinney In-Person at Unlikely Story, Plainville on Thu, May 12, 2022 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Don’t miss the chance to meet Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of IRON WIDOW in person when they’ll introduce their debut middle grade novel ZACHARY YING AND THE DRAGON EMPEROR.
Eat
One of the best ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage is to sample all of the incredible cuisines and flavors from all the distinct regions.
- Koto (Japanese/Chinese/Thai) – 90 Washington St, Salem
- Sawasdee (Thai) – 49A Maple St, Danvers
- Lolo Poke (Polynesian)- 503 Rantoul St, Beverly
- Tánam (Filipino)- 1 Bow Mkt Wy Suite 17, Somerville
- JNJ Turo Turo (Filipino) – 143 Water St, Quincy
- Boba Tea Snow Ice House – 1 City Hall Square, Lynn
- Bonchon (Korean) – 299 Essex St, Salem
- Blu Karma (Sushi/Asian Fusion): 6 Purchase Street, Danvers
- Kame: (Japanese/Sushi): 250 Cabot Street, Beverly
- Calibasil Vietnamese Eatery: (Vietnamese) 55 Dodge Street, Unit A 260, Beverly
- Soall Bistro: (Vietnamese with a French Influence): 211 Rantoul St, Beverly, MA 01915
- Anmol Restaurant: (Indian): 258 Rantoul St., Beverly
Resources
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2022
- Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (SEACMA)
- Quincy Asian Resources
- Asian American Resource Workshop
- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission
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