Asian Culture Center to display posters

A traveling Smithsonian exhibit featuring vibrant, complex stories of Asian-American history and culture will be on display from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Asian Culture Center, 807 E. 10th St.

The open house and exhibit is titled “I Want the Wide American Earth: An Asian Pacific American Story.”

Every year to celebrate the initial opening of the ACC, the center features an educational event for students. This exhibit marks the 15th anniversary of the ACC’s involvement on the IU campus. The Smithsonian brought the material to Bloomington for free to use for its annual event.

“We are hoping that the stories conveyed in the posters will serve as an eye-opener, and they will spark an interest in learning more about the Asian-American experience and history in the U.S.,” ACC Director Melanie Castillo-Cullather said.

The event is an opportunity for social activity, a history lesson and an anniversary celebration all in one for anyone interested in attending, she said.

“The stories featured in the posters are part of what makes up the United States,” Castillo-Cullather said. “It’s an opportunity for students to learn or maybe inspire them to explore more about their roots regardless of whether they’re of Asian descent or not. We’re hoping that it will pique their interest in learning more about the diverse populations of that make up the U.S.”

— Anna Skinner