Time: May 23, 2025
Location: the central atrium of The Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia
On the afternoon of May 23, the “2025 AAPI: Living Heritages” photography exhibition officially opened in the central atrium of The Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia. Co-hosted by the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Development Center (CCDC) and the Photojournalists Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA), this exhibition is a highlight of Southern California’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 2025. It attracted local officials, cultural leaders, photographers, and a wide audience eager to engage with the event.
Gigi Lee, representing U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Jennifer Tang, representing California Assemblymember Steven Fong, delivered remarks and presented certificates of recognition to the event organizers and participating photographers.They emphasized the exhibition’s significant role in promoting cultural heritage and fostering diversity within the AAPI community.
Arcadia’s Mayor Sharon Kwan, Vice Mayor Eileen Wang, and City Councilmembers Paul P. Cheng and David Fu attended and shared inspiring words. Mayor Kwan expressed her enthusiasm for hosting an event that celebrates AAPI heritage in Arcadia, noting that “whether it’s showcasing Chinese culture or addressing important community topics like wildfires, the exhibition is truly captivating.”
Amid a lively and celebratory atmosphere, guests joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official launch of the exhibition. The organizers also presented attendees with a special commemorative photography book titled Taste China：A Journey with World-Class Photographers, featuring select images captured by participating photographers during their 2024 China expedition. The book was warmly received and praised by guests.
The exhibition consists of two main sections:
“Taste China: A Journey with World-Class Photographers 2024” features 40 outstanding photographs taken in Sichuan and Guangdong by Pulitzer Prize and World Press Photo winners Nick Ut, Ringo Chiu, Irfan Khan, and Michael Nelson. The images vividly depict the local culture and culinary traditions, offering American audiences a fresh perspective on contemporary China.
“Ringo & Friends: Hope out of Fire” displays 40 powerful documentary photographs by Ringo Chiu and nine other photojournalists, capturing the early 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and telling moving stories of community resilience and rebuilding.
Xu Donghai, Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Development Center, noted the exhibition’s strong response, with large crowds attending on opening day. “We are excited to partner with a prominent venue like The Shops at Santa Anita, and we hope to engage more organizations and individuals in showcasing the rich culture and heritage of the AAPI community,” said Xu. “Our aim is to build bridges that foster greater cultural exchange between East and West.”
The exhibition was on display at The Shops at Santa Anita through May 26, then moved to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Orange County for free public viewing from May 27 to 28. The organizers invited everyone to come experience the cultural depth and human stories behind the photographs.
Live Photo
