CURRENT SPecial Exhibition
Soaring for Peace: The Flying Tigers Legacy
This exhibition highlights the history of the American Volunteer Group and their vital role in supporting China during World War II. Through historical narratives, photographs, and artifacts, the exhibition traces their journey to Yunnan and their contribution to U.S.–China cooperation. Presented in partnership with the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum and featuring artifacts from Dr. Pedro Cheng, the exhibition offers a concise yet powerful look at the Flying Tigers’ legacy of courage and international solidarity.
Past Special Exhibitions
2025 Student Art Exhibition
This exhibition showcases the winners of our 2025 competition, which explored themes of environmental crisis and social divides. The works reveal how art can reflect regenerative and reparative qualities—opening paths toward healing, transformation, and repair. What is reparative? How can we mend what has been broken? How can we foster growth and renewal within ourselves, communities, and environments?
Dr. Henry C. Lee: The Man Who Made the Impossible Possible
Dr. Henry C. Lee is a renowned forensic scientist whose work has shaped modern criminal investigations, contributing to the resolution of over 8,000 cases worldwide and collaborating with law enforcement across the globe. Born in Rugao and raised in Taiwan, he began his career with the Taipei Police Department, rising to the rank of Captain before continuing his education in the United States, where he earned degrees in forensic science and biochemistry from John Jay College and NYU. With additional specialized training from agencies such as the FBI, ATF, and RCMP, Dr. Lee has become a leading figure in the field over the past five decades.
Under the Bodhi Tree: Art and Architecture of the Longhua Temple
This Exhibition features sculptures and images illustrating Buddhism, its cultural practices and Buddhist art in modern society. Buddhism is one of the major religions in the world in addition to Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Originated in the sixth century BCE, Buddhism disseminated from the Indian Subcontinent to other regions in Asia along the Silk Roads. Buddhist teaching and its manifestation in art and ritual practices have been a unifying force to bring all walks of life together around the globe.
Remembrance of the Shangrao Military
This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and the 82nd Anniversary of Shangrao Rescue of the Doolittle Raid. For decades, the historical tales of the Doolittle Raid and its Shangrao rescue have passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with lasting charms. Let's follow the camera, travel across time and space, and recall those touching stories of the heros during the tumultuous times, so as to remember the history, pass on the friendship, and create the future together.
A Turnout for Today
It has been a century since this most beloved opera was composed. However, Puccini died before he completed this work and the ending, written by another composer, has always been criticized by opera afficionados as being unsatisfactory. Francesca Zambello commissioned composer Christopher Tin and librettist Susan Stanton to address this by composing a new and more satisfying ending.
WNO’s Turandot will be performed at the Kennedy Center from May 11th to May 25th, 2024.
This exhibit features sketches of the stage design and costumes for this WNO production of Turandot will be on exhibit at the Chinese American Museum through the end of May 2024.
2023 Student Art Competition Exhibition - My Dream
This exhibition showcases 30 selected winning pieces from our 2023 Student Art Competition - “My Dream.” With over 200 entries this year from the U.S. and China, we feel honored that some of these students have participated in our competition for four years in a row.
This year's theme, “My Dream,” is an open-ended topic that emphasizes on divergent thinking. The genres and styles of the artwork received were truly inspiring, covering a wide and diversified range of topics with far-reaching messages. This is the fourth annual student art collaboration between CAMDC and CCACC Art Gallery, intending to encourage creativity, artistic expression, and cultural exchange between students in the U.S. and China.
Thank You, Corky Lee: The Unofficial Photographer Laureate of Asian Americans
Many people knew the late activist-photographer, Corky Lee, as someone who took candid photographs of Asian communities. Look deeper to see that he created an authentic space for Asian Americans to be seen and heard. This exhibit is a very personal retrospective of his most impactful photographs with quotes from people that knew him and his prolific body of work. This exhibit is made possible through the support of Panda Express and our museum community.
Rhythm of Nature: Kit-Keung Kan’s Ink Painting, Calligraphy, and Installation Art
Kit-Keung Kan studied traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy at an early age. He first exhibited his work in Hong Kong and in Washington DC in 1964 and 1984, respectively. Since then, he has held more than forty solo exhibitions and participated in more than a hundred two-person and group exhibitions in the US, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other countries. His painting evolved from the use of traditional techniques to study rural landscapes of Hong Kong to abstraction through simplification.
Bruce Lee: American Son and International Icon
July 20, 2023
A new exhibit commemorates the cultural superstar on the 50th anniversary of his passing revealing both his Hollywood qualities and his sensitivities as an artist, philosopher and family man. On display are rarely seen images, personal documents, and objects from Bruce Lee and those who were influenced by his work. This exhibit is made possible through the support of The Bruce Lee Foundation, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington, DC; Shu-Ping Chan and Jana Mason, and museum supporters like you!
The Chinese American Museum DC is pleased to partner with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center on this exhibition. AFI Silver will show a retrospective of Bruce Lee movies from August 21st to September 18th. Showtimes are listed on the AFI Silver website at: https://bit.ly/AFIBruceLee2023
Fashioning Identity in Qipao: The Image of Modern Women
June 17, 2023
Qipao 旗袍 was the quintessential dress for Chinese women in the Republic Era (1912-1949). Its origin and history are closely intertwined with women’s quest for equality and independence during China’s rapid modernization and urbanization in the early 20th century. The earliest qipao stylistically resembled both the men’s long robe known as “cheongsam” in Cantonese and the loose and angular dress worn by Manchu women in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Sumi-e 60th Anniversary Juried Exhibition
June 1 - July 1, 2023
The National Board of Directors of the Sumi-e Society of America, Inc, the Chinese American Museum DC and the National Capital Area Chapter are proud to present the 60th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Chinese American Museum in Washington DC. This exhibition showcases some of the best current East Asian brush paintings and calligraphy.
2022 Student Art Competition
March 2, 2023
This exhibition showcases 12 selected winning pieces from our 2022 student art competition. With the theme “Our Environment: 25 Years Later,” over 300 students from U.S., Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China participated in the competition, each presenting their own inspiring and artistic vision of our future environment. This is the third annual student art collaboration between the Chinese American Museum and CCACC Art Gallery intended to encourage creativity, artistic expression, and cultural exchange between students in the U.S. and China.
Traditional and Contemporary - Bertrand Mao and Lin-Lin Mao
January 28, 2023
Bertrand Mao (b. 1932, Jiangsu, China) is a lifelong practitioner of Chinese calligraphy and traditional landscape painting who, after a distinguished career in education and cultural affairs, has dedicated himself to teaching and artistic practice in the Greater Washington, DC area. He has taught at institutions including the University of Maryland University College, American University, and Montgomery College, and is currently a resident artist at VisArts in Rockville, MD. His daughter, Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor, is an emerging artist based in the United States whose work explores installation and public art; her projects have been selected for juried exhibitions in Seattle, including a large-scale commissioned installation for the city’s East Ballard neighborhood in partnership with the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture.
Taoism: Pursuing Harmony Between Human
November 3, 2022
Taoism (Daoism) is a native Chinese philosophy and religion that has shaped Chinese culture, values, and spirituality for thousands of years, emphasizing harmony with nature, holistic well-being, and balance in everyday life. Originating from early folk beliefs during the Shang Dynasty, it evolved over time—incorporating concepts like Yin and Yang, flourishing as a state religion in the Tang Dynasty, and later coexisting with Confucianism and Buddhism. Central to Taoist practice is the cultivation of both physical health and spiritual growth in pursuit of the Tao, the universal force underlying all existence, with its ideas deeply embedded in Chinese folklore, art, and cultural traditions.
China from China: Porcelain and Stories of Early American Trade - February 11, 2023 - This new exhibition explores the dawn of economic trade and commerce between America and China. In 1784, the Empress of China was the first merchant vessel post the American War for Independence to sail from New York to Canton. Bringing back porcelain, silks and tea, a new passage and a new age was opened for international trade and cultural sharing.
Features selections from the Dietrich American Foundation.
China from China includes some of the earliest examples of mutually beneficial trade between the US and China, including pieces from George and Martha Washington’s personal porcelain China collection. The selection of porcelain, paintings and objects on exhibit are from the Dietrich American Foundation. Additional content and objects are from the Middlesex Historical Society and Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Connecticut.
Words Re-Examined: Contemporary Calligraphy by Four Artists 字的反思：當代書法四人展-July 16 to December 2022- The practical use of handwriting has been waning in modern times, especially in this age of computers, where handwriting has been replaced by word processing inputs. The four artists in this exhibition are all masters in traditional calligraphy. They are re-examining calligraphy with contemporary concepts and have experimented with their ideas to create work in their own new directions. They are Xiaosheng Bi 畢曉生, Kit-Keung Kan 靳杰強 and Yuming Sun 孫宇明 of Chinese descent, and Myoung Won Kwon 權明源 of Korean descent.
Enchanting Stitches & Stories - February 20, 2022 to September 30, 2022 - During the Han Dynasty and opening of the Silk Road, the art of silk embroidery became popular in China due to its well established production and trade. The four embroidery styles in China are Shu 蜀, Xiang 湘, Su 蘇, and Yue 粵 embroidery. Read more.
Dora Fugh Lee: A Lifetime of Art - September 25, 2021 through February 26, 2022 - A complete retrospective on the Washingtonian artist featuring a body of work that spans traditional Asian painting to impressionist oils and sculpture. Read more.
Through the Lens: The World Around Us—An Exhibition of Chinese American Photographers - February 20 - March 31, 2022 - Read more.
Golden Threads: Chinese Opera in America - October 22, 2021 through February 12 - The historical and cultural impact of Chinese Opera in Chinese American communities throughout the generations. Includes a primer on Chinese Opera and displays of incredible costumes and accessories. Read more.
Chinese American Women in History
Safe Harbor: Shanghai
Weihsien