Smithsonian museum kicks off AANHPI month with 3-day Asian arts and cultural fest

WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News is celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Heritage Month by highlighting events, local businesses, and diving deep into community concerns.

Starting May 10, the Smithsonian is kicking off celebrations with three days of events. Visitors may notice while visiting the National Museum of Asian Art a large sculpture right in front of the museum. “Do Ho Suh: Public Figures” was created by Korean artist Do Ho Suh to celebrate the museum’s 100th anniversary.

Unlike a typical statue or monument a major figure on top of a base, this piece of art has many small figures holding up that base. The artist prompts you to ask the question of who we memorialize and why.

Think of it as conveying a sense of collaboration and a collective approach and that’s exactly what they’re doing at the Smithsonian with these public programs and events.

“During AANHPI Heritage Month, I think it's really important that we recognize that the Asian and Asian American experience is not a monolithic one and that there are so many stories to tell,” explained Nicole Dowd, the head of programs at the Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art.

Over three days, the Smithsonian is hosting a festival titled "IlluminAsia", where people can not only share their experiences but work on healing together. This year’s theme focuses on mental health.

“There's a real stigma around talking about mental health in the Asian and Asian American communities, and so this really gives us an opportunity to bring people together, to have conversations to have dialogue, to think about mental health through the lens of art and culture and mindfulness practices,” said Dowd.

You can learn how to make a paper bouquet, experience a sound bath, and attend author talks about how dangerous beauty standards can be or how to heal from trauma and embrace Asian American identity.

“We're not necessarily going to be solving everyone's issues around their families and conversations,” said Dowd. “We really hope to, to create some inspirational moments and give folks some tools to be able to take home with them.”

The events will go on from May 10 to 12. There’s a happy hour Friday featuring low alcohol cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails where people can also take part in some of those relaxing crafts and activities.