Asia North

Exhibition + Festival

Asia North 2026 / May 1 – 31

Various locations throughout the Station North Arts District, Baltimore, MD

Celebrate Baltimore’s Charles North – Station North – neighborhood’s constantly evolving identities as a Koreatown, arts district, and creative hub. Co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ARE IN THE WORKS. STAY TUNED FOR SCHEDULE UPDATES.

Exhibition: Shoes at the Door, Guest Curated by Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill

Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31

Gallery Hours

• SNF Parkway Theatre: During Asia North and Parkway events at the Parkway
• Currency Studio: Thursday – Friday, 1 – 5 p.m.  |  Saturday, 12 – 3 p.m.

Every household is familiar with the pleasures and pains of hospitality. Hours of unseen preparation yield specialty dishes and spotless interiors for strangers and family alike. For many of us who are part of the APIMEDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American) community, guests are not expected to do anything, but leave their shoes at the door. This simple act–rooted in respect and ritual–demonstrates the way in which hospitality creates space for communal exchange. Shoes at the Door brings together works by sixteen APIMEDA-identifying artists living in the greater Baltimore and  DMV region whose artworks consider hospitality as a malleable practice shaped by diaspora, cultural tradition, inheritance, colonial commodification, and celebration. 

The works in this exhibition capture the breadth and diversity of hospitality customs and notions of home through installation, ceramics, painting, sculpture, drawing, and textiles, displayed throughout Parkway Theatre and Currency Studio. Some of the featured artists engage explicitly with intergenerational practices associated with welcoming others into our homes, reimagining household objects that evoke familial gatherings and celebratory meals. While such works incite nostalgia and joy, they also excavate the gendered labor and colonial legacies that inform them. Select artists also offer meditations on hospitable conditions within our built and natural environments, gesturing to the complexities of diasporic placemaking. 

Shoes at the Door offers a nuanced glimpse of what it means to prioritize the care of others through acts of hospitality, which have the ability to both strengthen our ties to distant homelands and subvert cultural expectation.

P.S. Unlike the title suggests, you will not be asked to take your shoes off at any point.

Shoes at the door

Featured Artists

Hannah Atallah, Thea Canlas, Rosa Chang, Aishwariya Chandrasekar, Riya Devi-Ashby, Anna Divinagracia, Heejo Kim, Anthony Le, Nadia Nazar, Lynn Nguyen, Katherine Pon-Cooper, AX Qin, Artie Sadahiro, Julie Sayo, Asma Waheed, Amelie Wang

Asia North 2026 Opening Event

Friday, May 1, 5 – 9 p.m.

SNF Parkway Theatre and Currency Studio

Celebrate the kick-off of Asia North 2026. Meet guest curator Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill and the artists featured in Shoes at the Door. Spend the evening getting energized through the sounds of Korean samulnori and Japanese taiko drums, and being entranced by the exquisite art of Odissi dance, grooving to synth pop.

Featuring performances from Han Pan Samulnori (right), Arpita Rakshit Sabud, Hello Fans, and B’more Taiko.

Savor dishes provided by the Baltimore Xiamen Sister City Committee. Performances curated by Kandi Wong.

Asia North 2026 Opening Event

Schedule

5 p.m. Exhibit opens at the Parkway and Currency Studio

5:45 p.m. Start enjoying food provided by the Baltimore Xiamen Sister City Committee at the SNF Parkway Theatre

6:15 p.m.:  Welcoming remarks at the SNF Parkway Theatre

6:30 p.m. Performance by Han Pan Samulori at SNF Parkway Theatre

6:45 p.m.  Performance by Arpita Rakshit Sabud at SNF Parkway Theatre

7 p.m. Performance by Hello Fans at the SNF Parkway Theatre  

7:15 p.m.: Performance by Plant Dad at the SNF Parkway Theatre  

7:30 p.m.: Performance by B’more Taiko at the SNF Parkway Theatre  

Big Ass Snake(plant)s on a Plane Installation by Phaan Howng  

Ongoing Inviting Light Installation

1718 N. Charles St.

Larger-than-life leaves with vivid colors and camouflage patterns are no longer passive objects of humans; they appear both aggressive and alien as they ‘grow’ out of the Charles Street  Garage. 

Born in Fire: Queer Asian Crafting Workshop

Sunday, May 3, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

SNF Parkway Theatre
Hosted by Hannah Shaw and Phyllis Zhu
Registration Required, limited to 15 spots.

The Year of the Fire Horse is here! What parts of you were shaped by passion or struggle and are ready to be expressed? Come collage, paint, and create with us in queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American (APIMEDA) community. Make your own mini canvas and/or add to a collective piece - supplies included. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Blueprint Cafe! 

Art Walk Curator Tour W/ Dylan K. Hill 

Friday, May 8, 5:30 pm

Starting location: SNF Parkway Theatre 

Join Dylan K Hill, curator of this year's Asia North exhibition Shoes at the Door for Station North's May 'Art Walk W/...'! Hill will give Station North Art Walk W/ participants a tour of the exhibition starting at the Parkway Theatre and lead us to the opening of Katazomé at Gallery CA.

Katazomé: A Multidisciplinary Visual Art Exhibition

Friday, May 8 – Saturday, May 30

Gallery CA
Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 12 – 4 p.m. and by appointment (call/text 443-370-4684)
Exhibition Opening: Friday, May 8, 6 – 9 p.m.
Gallery Talks: Saturday, May 16 and May 30, 2 – 5 p.m.

Hiromitsu Hubbard and his mother, Donna R. Omata tell the story of Donna’s journey to Japan to study the ancient art of katazomé through a multi-disciplinary visual art exhibition. Hiromitsu will present a series of new paintings inspired by Donna’s artwork and photographs shown alongside her original katazomé work on handmade paper and fabric from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Through this exhibition, Hiromitsu and Donna share a personal family story of discovering cultural roots, intergenerational exchange, and transcending discrimination by finding identity through art and creativity. This exhibition is a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival and is supported by a 2025 Rubys Artist Grant, which is a program of the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

Asia North Kamayan Feast

Saturday, May 9, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

SNF Parkway Theatre
TICKETS: $65, purchase by May 4
Ticket sales begin April 6

Experience Asia North's annual communal Filipino feast where food is artfully laid out atop banana leaves in the middle of long banquet tables. "Kamay" literally translates to "hand" in this traditional Filipino practice of eating with your hands. Participating caterers include Frisco Baltimore and Barkada Breads.

Conversation: Love Has Never Been a Popular Movement 

Monday, May 11, 6 – 8 p.m.

Impact Hub

Explore the role and dynamics of heritage knowledge (a community’s group memory that enables a sense of belonging) across the Asian Diaspora. Interact with concepts and each other to practice ways to imagine futures with expanded notions of belonging and solidarity. Facilitated by Paul J. Koh (Towson University Professor of Education).

NAAAP Baltimore 2nd Thursdays AAPI Meet-Up

Thursday, May 14, 6 – 8 p.m.

SNF Parkway Theatre
Registration Link Coming Soon

In support of the theme for 2026's AAPI month, "Strengthening Communities Together," join us as we celebrate artists from the Baltimore area who are showcasing their work in the Asia North 2026 exhibit and strengthen our local community. Whether you are new to our community or already part of it, our event is welcome for all! Our Second Thursdays program brings together AAPI professionals and local leaders and provides further insights about about upcoming events and opportunities. We look forward to having you join us!

Dil Dil Desi: South Asia Dance Social

Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m. – Midnight

Mobtown Ballroom & Cafe
TICKETS

Join us for a high-energy night of non-stop dancing to the hottest beats from across the subcontinent. From Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood classics to the latest bangers, we’ve got it all lined up. Come dressed in your best desi fits or just as you are—the only rule is to bring the vibes and hit the dance floor! Don’t miss this epic night of music, dance, food, and community. Invite your friends! The more the merrier. See you on the dance floor!

Your ticket helps make it happen—the cost covers the venue and DJ, and any additional proceeds will be donated to a dedicated charity. Desi snacks and drinks will be available for purchase!

Sticky Stars and Sheets: A Spoken Word Play

Friday, May 15, 8 – 9:15 p.m.

Regie Cabico takes on queerphobia in the classrooms and the dive bars with poetic lyricism and self-effacing humor, and resilience. Cabico presents his signature performance of poetry and stories of Asian appropriation and the daily triggers he confronts from a multiverse that gets smaller stepping out of a pandemic and surviving dive bars, bathhouses, teen stalkers, as he tries to get his groove back.  

Regie Cabico: Writer & Performer
Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi: Director & Dramaturg

A++ Improv Show

Friday, May 15, 9 p.m.

Baltimore Improv Group

A++ is an independent improv comedy team based in Baltimore and comprised of all AAPI performers. Our improv shows explore cross-cultural traditions, finding a sense of belonging in diverse environments, and dealing with societal expectations. Our scenes are all made up on the spot based on your audience stories and our personal experiences.

The Past, Present, and Future of Baltimore Koreatown

Sunday, May 17

4 – 4:30 p.m.: Walking Tour, Meet at SNF Parkway Theatre entrance.
4:35 – 4:50 p.m.: Performances
5 – 6:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion. SNF Parkway Theatre.
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Reception
FREE REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Join our guides for a walking tour of the Charles North neighborhood’s historical Koreatown landmarks and favorite food spots. Then, join us for an exclusive panel discussion in the Parkway Theater about Baltimore Koreatown’s past, present, and future. Our moderator is Jacqueline Shin, National Register Assistant at the Maryland Historical Trust. Our participating panelists are Shauntee Daniels, Executive Director of the Baltimore National Heritage Area; Phaan Howng, co-leader of the project for preserving Baltimore Koreatown; Angela Ra, Communications and Strategic Policy Manager at the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Matthew Lee, Founder/President & CEO of the FASTech, Inc. & A-Tech Systems, Inc. and President of KoBE Government Contracting Alliance; Myung Hwa Shin, President of the Korean Culture & Art of Maryland and business owner in Baltimore City, and Tae Wan Kim, a business owner for 30 years in Baltimore City. We will have a reception following the discussion with free Korean food. This event is organized by the Baltimore Changwon Sister City Committee and a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival. 

Asia North 2026 Closing Event

Wednesday, May 27, 6 – 9 p.m.

SNF Parkway Theatre
Celebrate the conclusion of Asia North 2026. Congratulate the artists featured in Shoes at the Door. Enjoy performances by Soul of Persia and the Sutradhar Institute of Dance. Conclude the evening with a selection of APIMEDA film shorts curated by filmmaker Zara Kahan. Performances curated by Kandi Wong.

Asia North 2026 Closing Event

Schedule

5:00 p.m.  Exhibit opens at the SNF Parkway Theatre and Currency Studio

6:00p.m. Welcoming remarks at the SNF Parkway Theatre

6:15 p.m. Performance by Soul of Persia at the SNF Parkway Theatre

6:45 p.m. Performance by Sutradhar Institute of Dance at the SNF Parkway Theatre  

7:30 p.m. APIMEDA Film Shorts Screening at the SNF Parkway Theatre

Asia North 2026 Partners and Sponsors

Asia North 2026 is co-produced by TU Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Asia North 2026 partners and sponsors include Phaan Howng, SNF Parkway Theatre, Robert W. Deutsch Foundation,  William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, Currency Studio, Citizens of Baltimore County, Maryland State Arts Council, Hiromitsu  Hubbard and Donna R. Omata, Korean Cultural Center Washington DC, TU-BTU Presidential Priority, Baltimore Changwon-Sister City Committee, Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee, NAAAP Baltimore, Impact Hub, Motor House, Club Car, Baltimore Improv Group, Blueprint Café, and Hayelin Choi.

 

Asia North celebrates the arts and Asian culture that are defining characteristics of Baltimore’s Charles North neighborhood, part of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Inaugurated in spring 2019, Asia North is a collaborative community celebration that recognizes, showcases, and honors the art, culture and the Asian heritage of Greater Baltimore, especially the Korean history of Baltimore’s Charles North community.

The Asian Arts & Culture Center co-produces events with the Central Baltimore Partnership, and multiple community partners. Area artists and organizations present exhibits, performances, films, and more. In spring 2020, the programs expanded to online formats.

Asia North graphics by Ameena Fareeda.