Honoring Asian art and artistry will highlight Asian Heritage Week at Illinois State University, with events running from April 22-25. The Asian Heritage Celebration on April 24 from Asia Connect will include an afternoon of demonstrations and workshops, such as Indian henna art, Chinese martial arts, Taiwanese tea culture, and Japanese origami.
Some events require registration. The Asian Heritage Week events are presented in partnership and collaboration with the Normal Public Library, Illinois Art Station and Illinois State University Laboratory Schools, and sponsorship and support from Illinois State University.
Staged Reading of Dear Mr. C
April 22
Staged Reading of Dear Mr. C will be from 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, April 22, in the Illinois State Center for Visual Arts, room 110. Dear Mr. C is a play with music by Tidtaya Sinutoke, a Thai immigrant and the winner of the 2022 Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative. The production will be put on by the School of Theatre and Dance Crossroads Project. Registration is required for this event.
Personal Artmaking
April 23
A demonstration and workshop, Personal Artmaking, will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Illinois Art Station at 101 E. Vernon Ave., in Normal. This event will offer opportunities for attendees to create art inspired by Asian artists.
Asian Heritage Celebration
April 24
The Asian Heritage Celebration, organized by Illinois State University’s AsiaConnect, will be from 1:15-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, at the Normal Public Library.
1:15-2 p.m.
Origami: Japanese Art of Paper Folding, Artist Mayuko Nakamura
Chinese Art Painting, Artist Yanduan Yu
2-4 p.m.
Asian Costume Dress Up
Asian Cultural Showcase featuring Korean games, Chinese calligraphy, and artifacts
Illinois Art Station – Art Booth
2:15-3 p.m.
Indian Henna Art, Artist Binni Patel
Asian Face Painting, Artists Emma Kirkwood and Annie Sinclair
Balloon Art, Artist Jianwei Lai
3:10-3:30 p.m.
Chinese Martial Arts, Master Xiaodong Su
3:45-4:30 p.m.
Chinese and Taiwanese Tea Culture and Tasting, Dr. T. Y. Wang. Registration for this event is now closed.
Asian Music, Songs, and Fashion Show
University High School, Thomas Metcalf School, and Korean Academy of Language and Culture
Thai Cuisine
April 25
Thai Cuisine will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, in Turner Hall, room 131. This event will offer attendees the chance to learn more about authentic Thai cuisine and a tasting of various Thai foods. The event will be led by Chef Gift Muangthong. Registration is required for this event and is limited to 25 attendees.
Find events and more information on the AsiaConnect website.
