Memories of a Chinese Home: "Radiant Light" Exhibit Opens in Los Gatos

Description

The Museums of Los Gatos will present Radiant Light: Memories from the Ming Quong Home in Los Gatos, an exhibition dedicated to exploring personal accounts and images from the women who lived at the Ming Quong Home, from February 15 to July 15, 2012. An opening reception for the exhibition is scheduled Sunday, February 26, from 1-4pm at The History Museum in Los Gatos, 75 Church Street, in downtown Los Gatos. All events are FREE and open to the public. For more information visit the New Museums of Los Gatos website: http://www.museumsoflosgatos.com.

Opened in 1915 in Oakland and in 1936 in Los Gatos, the Ming Quong Home was home to Chinese American girls who were either orphans or whose families were unable to care for them financially or emotionally. It was the first institution of its kind in the United States to admit Chinese children. Radiant Light, a translation of “Ming Quong,” recounts the general history of the home and explores what daily life was like. The History Museum of Los Gatos has collaborated with many of the women who lived at Ming Quong to capture and share their memories before they pass into history. The exhibition shares unique perspectives about negotiating between Chinese traditions and new American ideals. Museum visitors will experience Ming Quong through photographs, artifacts, film, and personal stories.

The opening reception will include a reading of excerpts from Chopstick Childhood in a Town of Silver Spoons: Orphaned in Los Gatos at the Ming Quong Home by the author, Nona Mock Wyman at 2pm. A Culinary Tribute will feature a guest chef who will recreate recipes from Oakland Chinatown Cookbook edited by former Ming Quong resident Rhoda Wing.

Other special events from the exhibit include two evenings of film programming which feature the work of filmmakers who address the topic of negotiating a Chinese-American identity. A panel including Eddie Wong, Executive Director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and Judy Yung, co-author of Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America will be introducing the films. Film programs will be presented at the Los Gatos Public Library April 21 and 28, from 6-9pm.


ABOUT THE MUSEUMS OF LOS GATOS
The Museums of Los Gatos is a non‐profit organization supported by memberships, sponsorships, donations and the Town of Los Gatos. The mission of the Museums of Los Gatos is to collect and share stories and images of local art and history for public enrichment. The Los Gatos History Museum is located at 75 Church Street in Los Gatos at the Forbes Mill Annex. Admission is free. For more information please call (408)395-7386.

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http://www.museumsoflosgatos.org/site/2012/history-museum/mi...

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408.395.7386

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