Special Patrons Events
Members of Asia Society’s Asian art enthusiasts group, Asia Pacific Arts Circle (APAC), shared an exclusive dinner on June 8, 2008 with Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, one of the world’s most renowned scholars of South and Southeast Asian art.
APAC members are invited to exclusive programs, including visits to artists’ studios, private collections, art exhibitions, lectures, and private dinners that provide unique opportunities to explore the arts of Asia in intimate settings.
The exclusive APAC membership dinner with Dr. Pal, hosted by Texas Center board member Vatsa Kumar, provided a unique opportunity to hear personal insights from the scholar. The following day Dr. Pal presented his lecture The Many Faces of the Hindu Goddess Parvati at the 15th Annual Asia Society Texas Center/MFAH Lecture on Asian Art.
Dr. Pal is the General Editor for Marg Publications in Mumbai and a Research Fellow at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California. Born in Bangladesh, he obtained doctorate degrees from both the University of Calcutta and Cambridge University. For over 40 years, Dr. Pal has been professionally appointed at numerous renowned museums such as the Getty Research Institute, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Since 1985 he has written and edited 46 museum catalogs and published numerous scholarly articles.
On July 10, 2008 Asia Society Young Professionals (ASYP) hosted a mixer at So Vino Wine Bar and Bistro to discuss Asia Society’s global initiative, Asia 21.
Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative brings together young leaders from across Asia and America to network, collaborate, and educate one another on solutions to global issues. The annual Asia 21 Leadership Summit in Asia provides an unparalleled forum for personal and professional growth.
Adam Gilmore, Huan Le, and Paresh Patel, all Houston delegates of the Asia 21 Summit shared their experiences. Gilmore, a Mechanical Systems Lead at NASA collaborated with a Nepali Asia 21 delegate after the summit to bring a space science program to children whose parents are imprisoned in Katmandu, Nepal. Le changed careers after the Asia 21 Summit, moving from the field of healthcare to that of information technology. Patel found the Asia 21 Summit a great way for him to expand his new social venture, E² Equitable Energy, through networking with delegates from across the globe.
The evening was a great opportunity for Asia Society Young Professionals to mix and mingle while also being educated about the Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative.
A special membership group for young professionals under 40, Asia Society Young Professionals hosts an array of events spanning arts, culture, business, politics, current affairs, and social issues. Events like the one at So Vino encourage young professionals to come together and further interests in Asia.