The Dragon Within: Loong and Global Symbols

The Dragon Within: Loong and Global Symbols is a new program introduced as part of the extended Year of the Dragon: Early China to LEGO exhibition, which will run until February 2025. This program explores how mythical creatures like dragons remain relevant in cultural spaces and everyday life. Through 10-12 events, including workshops, performances, dance, music, and roundtable discussions, the program fosters creative experiences in collaboration with local artists and cultural organizations.

By engaging with dragon-themed artworks and immersive activities, visitors will explore the evolution and contemporary interpretations of Eastern dragons and mythical creatures in different cultures. The program aims to promote cultural exchange, inclusivity, and a mutual understanding of this iconic symbol across diverse communities.

The extension of this exhibition is supported by a grant from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

Juliann Wang Special Performance at 3rd Friday Free Admission Night
September 20th, 5 - 8pm | Tour 6-7 PM | Performance 7-7:30 PM

Special Performance: As part of the Chinese moon festival activation, Juliann Wang's performance is inspired from a Buddhist phrase "the Dragon's Roar of a Dead Tree" as a vivid symbol of Zen Buddhism's wonderful use of the original mind. It is said only by cutting off the discrimination can a new life be obtained, by removing delusion can we experience true life and joy.

A Taste of the Dragon: Design and Eat Your Mooncake
September 21st, 2 - 3:30pm

Dive into a blend of art and food in this unique, unprecedented Mooncake Design Workshop. Experience firsthand how art can be transformed into edible creations through brainstorming, designing, and making. Explore the rich symbolism of the dragon as you design your own mooncakes, inspired by its cultural significance.

Create Your Collection! Artist Book Workshop with Natia
October 19th, 2 - 4pm

Join us to create your own artist book! In this workshop, you'll learn various bookbinding methods used in ancient Asia. Led by Natia Ser and Yue Xu, they will guide you step by step to bind your own artist book, inspired by the Year of the Dragon Exhibition. No prior experience required—family friendly!

Make Your Own Antique! Paper Clay workshop
October 26th, 2 - 4pm

Join us for a special hands-on workshop where you can craft your own mini sculpture, inspired by our museum's stunning collection! Led by painter and sculptor Shuo Cai, whose works draw deeply from Chinese religious and folkloric traditions, this workshop will introduce an easy and fun crafting technique using paper clay. You’ll create a unique sculpture inspired by ancient artifacts and antiques from our exhibitions. No prior art experience is needed, and the workshop is open to all ages!

Air and Water Talk
November 9th, 2 - 4pm

The Air and Water Talk explores various approaches to heritage and history through art, research, and physical activities. Hai-Wen Lin, a master kite maker, elevates traditional practices into the sky, intertwining creativity with a journey of learning. Jeeyeun Lee, a scholar and performer, delves into the troubled history of Chicago's lakefront, engaging the community step by step through physical and performative actions. Together, they will host a conversation that connects heritage, history, belonging, and the agency of the present moment. The audiences are invited to go through the thinking process and the creative journey with them and interact with their artworks intellectually, spiritually and physically.

Let’s talk about Heritage - Community Discussion
November 23rd, 2 - 4pm

Join us for an in-depth conversation about heritage and the future with art and culture leaders in our community. In partnership with the South Asia Institute, Asian Improve ArtsMidwest, Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education, Butoh Chicago, and more.

Heritage and Future - Community Discussion
December 7th, 2 - 4pm

Join us for an engaging conversation about heritage and the future with art and culture leaders and practitioners in our community. In partnership with the Center for Native Future, Yollocalli Arts Reach, Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education, Typhoon Dance Troupe, and more.

Workshop with Movement - We Have All Been Transformed by Dragons
January 11th, 2025 2 - 4pm

Join us for the transformative two-hour workshop, "We Have All Been Transformed by Dragons," exploring the Dragon as an Ecological Symbol. This participatory session includes writing, discussion, and qigong, fostering a connection with the concept of flow. We will delve into dragons' roles in Chinese-style fortune telling, engage in movements to awaken the dragons within us, and write about the dragons we inhabit. Aimed at deepening our connection to cultural flow within the community, this workshop is suitable for all ages but is specifically designed for adult participants.

Puppetry and Dance - The Great Zodiac Animal Race: Collaborative Performance
January 17th, 2025 6 - 8pm| Tour 6 - 6:45 PM | Performance after the tour!

Join us for a magical evening of puppetry and dance in a collaborative performance by Tom Lee and Yoshinojo Fujima, aka Rika Lin. Experience Tom's signature show, "The Great Zodiac Animal Race," in its final presentation of the Year of the Dragon before transitioning into the Year of the Snake. This performance is designed to create an immersive experience, beautifully integrated with the marvelous collection at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art.

If the Sky Could Dream: Dragonatomy
January 25th, 2025 2 - 4pm

We search for dragons in art, in movement, in music, and in ourselves. Reflect upon the Year of the Dragon in this exploratory performance by Irene Hsiao in collaboration with Paige Brown, Hunter Diamond, Menghua Guan, Penny Li, Amanda Maraist, Scott Rubin, Darling “Shear” Squire, and Peter Wong at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art.

A Loooooooong Celebration: Lunar New Year Show
February 1st, 2025 6 -10pm

Join us on Saturday, February 1, from 6–9 PM for a grand and memorable farewell to the Year of the Dragon with art, performances, live music, food, drinks, and fortune-telling. Let’s enter the Year of the Snake with creativity, friendship, and community.

3rd Friday Special Performance: Indian Dance by Shalaka Kulkarni
February 21st, 2025 6:45 - 7:15pm

Join us on February's 3rd Friday, 7:00–7:30 PM, we’re excited to welcome Shalaka Kulkarni for a beautiful performance of Indian dance. Asian-American, Shalaka Kulkarni is an interdisciplinary dance artist trained in Indian Classical dance who creates experiences that bridge the ancient and contemporary while uplifting marginalized voices.

Butoh Artist Talk and Community Discussion with Joan Laage
February 22nd, 2025 2 -4 pm

Come join us for a rare opportunity to hear artist and scholar Joan Laage discuss her butoh learning and exploration alongside members of the Chicago butoh community. This event is a collaboration between the Heritage Museum of Asian Art and Butoh Chicago.