- This event has passed.
APAC Sightlines Saturday Feature Program: 50 Years of SE Asian American Journeys
Experience Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond
, an exhibition showcasing the historical, cultural, and creative connections of Asian Americans to Washington, D.C. And join us every second Saturday of the month for Sightlines Saturdays!
This month’s Sightlines Saturday feature program commemorates a pivotal moment in Southeast Asian American history. The year 2025 marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, the Secret War in Laos, and the fall of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 1975–events that displaced millions from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Seeking refuge in the U.S., these communities rebuilt their lives and, over five decades, have made enduring contributions to American society, embodying resilience, perseverance, and cultural vibrancy.
Reflection, Resilience, Reimagination: 50 Years of Southeast Asian American Journeys features screenings of short films and selected excerpts from longer works, offering a powerful visual narrative of Southeast Asian American experiences. The screenings will be followed by an intergenerational panel discussion with community leaders, filmmakers, and artists.
Join the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and several Southeast Asian American community organizations to reflect on these histories, share lived experiences, and celebrate the achievements of Southeast Asian Americans.
Program Organizers:
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Hmong Museum
Laotian American National Alliance
RedGreen Rivers
Southeast Asian Freedom Network
Vietnam Society
List of films and speakers forthcoming.
Sponsors:
Resilience Presenting Sponsor: AARP
Community Leaders: Compassion & Choices; Moving Mountains; RedGreen Rivers
Legacy Supporters: Funny Asian Women Collective; Hmong National Development; Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce; Laotian American National Alliance; Very Asian Foundation
Notice of Filming and Photography: Sightlines Saturday programs will be photographed, filmed, and recorded.
***
May Sightlines Saturday In-Gallery Program: Making Place, Making Space
Start the day with our in-gallery program and enjoy a guided tour of the Sightlines exhibition at noon, then participate in a hands-on activity from 1-3 p.m., creating a personal artwork inspired by maps and monuments and related to the exhibition’s “Making Place” theme on Chinatown. Reserve your free ticket(s) here.