Schedule

Wednesday, July 17, 2024
6 p.m. Reception
6:30 p.m. Author Talk

Join Asia Society Texas for an author talk with Dr. Theodore Gonzalves, who will share his latest book, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects, which invites readers to experience both well-known and untold stories through influential, controversial, and meaningful objects from the Smithsonian's vast collection.

Through thematic chapters and full-color illustrations, Dr. Gonzalves explores complex history and shared experiences, including navigation, intersections, labor, innovation, belonging, tragedy, resistance and solidarity, community, service, memory, and joy. A spirited and beautifully illustrated book, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects offers a vital window into objects that embody and engage with Asian Pacific American issues such as the immigrant experience, the importance of media representation, what history officially gets documented versus what does not, and so much more.

About the Author

Dr. Theodore S. Gonzalves is a curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. His areas of responsibility include the research, collection, and exhibition of Asian Pacific American histories and the performing arts. He previously served as director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. A Fulbright Scholar with extensive teaching experience in the United States, Spain, and the Philippines, Dr. Gonzalves has also been awarded senior fellowships at the Smithsonian Institution, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Library of Congress. He was elected the 21st president of the Association for Asian American Studies in 2018, was appointed to the Organization of American Historians' Distinguished Lectureship Program in 2023, and is currently a member of the board of directors of the American Council of Learned Societies.

Exhibitions and their related programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher. Major support comes from The Brown Foundation, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, The Clayton Fund, Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding also provided by The Anchorage Foundation of Texas, National Endowment for the Arts, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), and Texas Commission on the Arts. Free Thursday exhibition admission presented by Regions Bank. Additional support is provided by Leigh and Reginald Smith, Ann Wales, the Wortham Foundation, and through contributions from the Exhibitions Patron Circle, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional visual art to Asia Society Texas.

Presenting Sponsors

Nancy C. Allen
Leslie and Brad Bucher
Chinhui Juhn and Edward Allen

Program Sponsors

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.

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