Connecting Historical Racism to Place: Exhibitions and Public Conversations

An exhibition can start a conversation, but how do we keep that conversation going? Join us for an important talk in the Wongs' historic building! With the expertise of Catherine Clement, the acclaimed curator of the Paper Trail exhibit which opened the Chinese Canadian Museum in 2023, the Wongs are currently turning their second-floor rooms of their Hon Hsing building into a rooming house exhibition with a planned opening for 2027. It focuses on the Chinese bachelors, an often overlooked chapter of Canadian history. An exhibition can start a conversation, but how do we keep that conversation going? This event will focus on how exhibitions shape public memory and help people engage with social history and other current issues. Discussion will explore exhibitions and other forms of public engagement that can contribute to public and cultural impact. Complementing this year’s Why We Do Heritage: The Chinatown Bachelors and the Wongs Benevolent Association, this talk will feature Catherine and MOV's curator of urban cultures Denise Fong, co-curator of the A Seat at the Table exhibition (2020-2023) at the Museum of Vancouver and at the Wongs’ Hon Hsing Building. Jeffrey Wong from the Benevolent Association will join our guests. Together we will talk about: How physical spaces, objects, records help us connect with history What does public and cultural impact look like? How to design the exhibition with this in mind? What are important complements to an exhibition? How to try and make sure the message and ideas from an exhibition stay with people What to do after an exhibition is over This event is a collaboration between the Wongs’ Benevolent Association and Heritage Vancouver Society. It is made possible in part by the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage. NOTE: THERE WILL BE STAIR CLIMBING INVOLVED TO REACH THE EVENT SPACE.