Eugene City Council unanimously passed a resolution last year declaring May as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month has been nationally recognized since 1990, originally recognizing the first 10 days in May as signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978.
Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Events
The City continues to actively acknowledge the designation by working with our community to celebrate all people of Asian descent, regardless of nationality and their diverse cultures, contributions and influences to Eugene. Don’t miss the following events this month:
Windowfront Exhibitions
This is the Year of the Ox, which signifies strength in unity. The City of Eugene Cultural Services and the Asian American Council of Oregon unite this May in celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Windowfront Exhibitions feature artists from the Asian Celebration,* arts and crafts, heritage, history and poetry as cultural touchstones from every corner of the world's largest continent.
The following exhibitions are scheduled for May 7-June 7, except where otherwise noted:
- Installationsinclude the following and more:
- 1000 Hopes by Sara Zolbrod - We invite you to write your hopes, dreams, or wishes on the provided strip of paper, and tie it into an art installation outside the Downtown Library. During these challenging times, this art project aims to provide an opportunity for people to heal and lend support to others. To participate, visit the low fence near the corner of W. 10th and Charnelton. Write or doodle on the provided cloths (with the provided markers), take a picture to share if desired, and tie your cloth up with the others. Express your hopes or prayers, or unburden a weight. The project adapts the Japanese omikuji tradition of public wishing trees or boards. Will be displayed May 1-31.
- Display of historic stories and photos
- Asian Celebration Fine Art Gallery
- Haiku - Skipping Stones Magazine and the Oregon Asian Celebration invited students of all ages to create and submit their best nature Haiku
- The Art of Posters/Asian Celebration Through the Years - Posters from the Asian Celebration's 35 years created by artists over the decades
- Window paintings inspired by Northwest flora and fauna by Urban Canvas artists. Featured artists are Lisa Yu, Eleanor Soleil, David Placencia and Janene Block.
*Asian Celebration Night Market
The 36th annual Asian Celebration will take place later this summer when Lane County’s COVID-19 risk level improves and more people are vaccinated. This year’s celebration will transition to an exciting “Night Market” featuring outdoor stage entertainment of dance, music, and martial arts; marketplace vendors, youth activities, and food carts/trucks taking place on the east and west Park Blocks where the Saturday Market takes place.
Promoting Inclusiveness and Celebrating Diversity
In a statement released in March 2021, Eugene’s Mayor and City Council said, “Eugene is home to a diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander-Americans and people of Asian descent who live here to work and learn. They are our family, friends, neighbors, business owners and co-workers. People of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have been a part of the Eugene community since its earliest days and continue to be a vital part of who we are. Each one of us has the ability to promote inclusiveness, celebrate diversity, support all fellow community members, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reject hate and bias.” Read full statement
The City Council encourages people to report all incidents of bias, regardless of how minor, online at eugene-or.gov/reporthate or by calling the Office of Human Rights and Neighborhood Involvement at 541-682-5177.