TU’s Asian Arts & Culture Center named best art space by ‘Baltimore’ magazine
Asian Arts Gallery, alums recognized among the Best of Baltimore
By Rebecca Kirkman on August 9, 2021
The Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) at Towson University was recognized as the “best art space” in Baltimore magazine’s 2021 Best of Baltimore list.
Hailed by the editors as “an invaluable resource for sharing cultures and bringing people together,” the AA&CC—which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year—was also recognized in the feature’s Hall of Fame, designating local mainstays that deserve “a little extra pat on the back in these tumultuous times.”
For AA&CC Program Manager Nerissa Paglinauan, the recognition is a welcome confirmation of the work the center has done to engage the community in cross-cultural dialogue through artistic and cultural learning experiences.
“It means we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing, and it’s nice being recognized by members of the arts community for all the work we do, all the stories that we’re trying to share and just trying to bring the community together,” says Paglinauan, who hopes the recognition will inspire new visitors to the AA&CC. “We’ve always been considered this hidden gem, but we want to be the bright, sparkly gem that everybody recognizes.”
This fall, the center continues its 50th anniversary theme “ElevAsian: Honoring AAPI Experiences” with the return of the Asia in Maryland (AIM) exhibition and “Our Stories” festival.
Running from Sept. 8–Dec. 11, AIM programming includes a community exhibition featuring work by Maryland artists who are Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), as well as an opening reception and complementary programming.
Read more: TU’s Asian Arts & Culture Center marks 50th anniversary with virtual programming
First launched in 2015, AIM uplifts and showcases the voices and stories of Asian and AAPI artists and communities with a variety of exhibits and programs. Maryland has more than 500,000 residents who trace their roots to Asian and Pacific Island countries, the majority of which are concentrated around TU in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. regions.
For AA&CC’s AIM exhibition in fall 2018, 33 artists displayed pieces in the Asian Arts Gallery, most of whom—including Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan—shared their work personally with 142 guests on opening day.
“We are trying to use this series to build a community and support local artists who are Asian and AAPI,” says Paglinauan. “And it has been so successful. It's a great time to bring it back, especially when we're really trying to elevate voices and perspectives of the Asian and AAPI communities.”
This fall also includes the return of the festival “Our Stories,” kicking off in October. Last spring, 27 artists from Baltimore to Bengaluru, India, shared personal and cultural stories about life in quarantine, racism, relationships, mortality, immigration, loneliness and sustainable living through narrative, music, art, film and more.
“It’s a way to open your mind by looking at something from a different perspective,” says AA&CC Director Joanna Pecore. “It dawned on me that stories are a good way to do that. Everyone has a story to tell.”
Other TU Best of Baltimore awardees include “best straight shooter” Lisa Snowden-McCray ’03, managing editor of The Real News and editor of the Baltimore Beat, whose work the feature’s editors say has “changed Baltimore’s journalism landscape;” and local artist Juliet Ames ’05, of the Broken Plate Co., for “best street art,” who sparked a “quintessentially Baltimore movement” by converting the region’s iconic yellow salt boxes into works of art.
save the dates
Asian Arts & Culture Center Fall Programming
Asia in Maryland 2021
Sept. 8–Dec. 11, opening reception 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10
Asian Arts Gallery, CA 2037
Asia in Maryland engages the community and showcases the stories of Maryland-based Asian and AAPI artists and creatives. The series, which launched in 2015, increases awareness and understanding of Maryland’s diversity through exhibitions, workshops, family programs, performances, courses and more.
“Our Stories” Festival
Kicks off in October
Details forthcoming
The “Our Stories” festival offers a safe space to share, listen and connect with one another and celebrate our common humanity. The festival joins diverse communities and generations through the theme of stories and welcomes contributions on various topics and in a wide range of formats such as narrative, music, art or video.