AAPI Heritage Celebration
From May 9-17 2025, we celebrated the lives and accomplishments of our oral history participants with a special exhibit at the Cecile R. Hunt Gallery at Webster University. The exhibit featured artifacts from oral history participants that illustrated the diversity and depth of the Asian American experience. We also invited local Asian American artists to display their work and featured community organizations to share resources.
Please see our Gallery Guide for artifact details and artist statements.
Fan: Simon Huang's decorative bamboo fan represents the tradition of Chinese fans used in dance, theater and religious ceremonies.
Bowl and Necklace: These items are traditional to the Chuuk and Northern Mariana Islands, where Joe Pangelinan was raised.
Basketry and War Club: Joe Pangelinan is of the Chamorro people, who are known for making intricate weavings from pandanus leaves, coconut husks and hibiscus bark.
Basketry and War Club: Joe Panglinan’s carved hardwood war club replica is usually longer and secured around the wrist with the rope.
Quran Box: Adorned with beautiful metalwork, this box houses Dr. Ghazala Hayat's holy scripture, the Quran.
Ankle Bells: Asha and Nartana Premachandra wear these while performing Indian classical dance.
Kimono Overcoat: Ed Shimamoto's grandmother raised silkworms and spun the silk to create this kimono overcoat.
Baby shirt and pants: Lauren Walther wore this outfit as a 10-month-old in China when she was first handed to her adoptive parents.
Going Home Dolls: These Barbie dolls from Claire Lott and Lauren Walther were gifted to their adoptive parents by the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China.
Photo: Claire Lott stands in front of the orphanage where she lived until she was 8 years old.
Photo: This photo commemorates the visit of Bishop Hayasaka to Maryknoll in Los Angeles in 1928. Tim Ema's father is among the children pictured.
Map for Apollo 13 Landing: Anne Mitori’s father got the family released early from WWII incarceration to become a cartographer for the U.S. military. He created this map to guide the landing of the almost doomed Apollo 13 mission.
1967 Yearbook: Ed Shew received an unsolicited apology at this 50th Lutheran H.S. North reunion for this photo's caption: "Why don't they ever have chop suey?"
1944 Yearbook: This Rohwer, Arkansas camp is where Ed Shimamoto and Tim Ema’s family were incarcerated. #19. Schematic. This map of Tule Lake incarceration camp shows the location of the barrack where Anne Mitori (nee Izumi) lived during WWII.
Letter Sweater: The only Asian at Lutheran North High School, Ed Shew "fit in" as an athlete and he proudly wore his letter sweater.
Football: Ed Shew was selected to the 1966 all-league football team for "outstanding ability and skill" and inherited this signed football from the head coach.
Laughing Buddha: A housewarming gift to Simon Huang from his mom, this Buddha symbolizes joy and prosperity.
Altar: Simon Huang's upbringing in India included exposure to multiple religions and he worships Guan Yu (a Chinese guardian deity), and L to R: Indian saint Shirdi Sai Baba, Hindu remover of obstacles Lord Ganesha, Buddha, and Guan Yin (the Buddhist embodiment of compassion and mercy).
Plate, Bowl and Water Pitcher: This traditional Nepali table setting from Suk Sapkota is made of Kansa bronze (a copper and tin alloy)
Bread Basket: This colorful basket is from Dr. Ghazala Hayat's birth country, Pakistan.
Shalwar Kameez: This shalwar (baggy trouser) kameez (long shirt) is typical of Pakistani traditional outfits worn by Dr. Ghazala Hayat.
Charkha: Dr. Ghazala Hayat shows Pakistan's rich textile tradition with this decorative replica of a traditional spinning wheel.
Japanese Calligraphy: Created for Ed Shimamoto by Anne Mitori's father, "kotobuki" is a character for best wishes and longevity.
Bell: This Japanese temple bell replica belonged to Ed Shimamoto's parent.
Jewelry Stand: Accessories help Danny Poon to feel more comfortable in breaking away from gender norms assigned to men.
Hanbok: The traditional clothing of the Korean people, Grace Kyung wears this hanbok for special occasions.
Hat with Veil: Evelyn Ling Truong wore this hat as a flight attendant for Emirates Air; it reflects her youth, energy and experiences with the world.
Facebook Post: This was a major moment in which Danny Poon openly shared about his struggles with his sexuality and faith.
Photo: These photos, which includes Tim Ema's father as a child, were taken at the Maryknoll picnic of St. Francis Xavier School in May 1928 and the Maryknoll Christmas Party in Los Angeles on December 25, 1928. Santa Claus is sitting in the middle with two children on his lap.
Masks: The Horse and Bull are two hardworking but sorrowful creatures who guide souls through the underworld in Vietnam mythology. These masks were part of costumes worn in Evelyn Linh Truong's film project.
Quilt: Ed Shimamoto's sister made this quilt of St. Louis Japanese Festival t-shirts, a community event that Ed's family has been involved with for decades.
Awards and Photos: This wall features awards as well as photos of those who have supported everyone on their journeys. The photo here shows Dr. Thanh Vo, who started his medical career all over again after fleeing Vietnam, with his daughters who also became doctors.
"You Made it In America!”: Claire Lott wrote this letter to her younger self as a reflection of how far she has come from the 8-year-old girl who had so much hope and expectations of life in America but also had to learn the realities of what being adopted meant; Testimony to Staff: This letter was the start of Danny Poon’s understanding the painful tension of being queer and holding onto the Christian faith.
Shadows by Evelyn Linh Truong
Heads, in front of canvas by Ningqing Ye
Symphony of Nature by Dr. Mimi Vo
Dr. Thanh Vo, daddy and mentor by Dr. Thanh-Mai Vo
My hometown is now a ruin by Eva Ju
It’s What You See by Linda Austin
Hanbok Help by Ayla Kim
Enemies of the State by Robin Hattori
Converging Paths by Hannah Kinzer
Just4fun.jpg by Song Watkins Park
Sample.20905 by Theresa Vercide
A Beautiful Story of Samah by Grace Lin
Ancestry Resilience by Aya Kawasaki
Grace’s Avian Symphony by James Wu
