The Paper Trail: To the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act
Date: May 29
7:00 pm
- 8:00 pm
Where: Theatre
This talk will introduce the Chinese Canadian Museum (Vancouver), the first cultural institution in Canada devoted to Chinese Canadian culture and lived histories, and The Paper Trail, a feature exhibition on the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.
Exhibition Curator, Catherine Clement will be in conversation with Chinese Canadian Museum CEO, Dr. Melissa Lee in introducing the feature museum exhibition on the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the generational trauma that resulted in the separation of Chinese Canadian families in the 20th century.
Tickets: $12 plus HST. Free for Rooms Members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709)757-8090.
About the Presenters:
Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee is an arts and culture leader with research interests in public art and social practice. She currently holds the appointment of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Chinese Canadian Museum, in British Columbia, Vancouver which was successfully opened on July 1st, 2023, showcasing 3 inaugural exhibitions in a 27,000 square foot space in the heart of Vancouver Chinatown. From 2019-2022, she was the Director of Education and Public Programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery. From 2016-2019 she was on the founding team to open Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art, Hong Kong serving as the Education and Public Programs Curator. From 2008-2015, she was on faculty as Senior Lecturer at the English Department of Chinese University of Hong Kong. She holds degrees from McGill, Canterbury and Lancaster Universities.
Catherine Clement is an award-winning community historian, curator, and author based in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Her practice focuses on finding and telling the lesser-known or forgotten stories of the Chinese Canadian experience.
Catherine’s projects have been acclaimed for the extensive crowdsourcing she undertakes to discover lost photographs, documents and stories. She uses these unearthed materials to create a major exhibition and leave a legacy: the establishment of new community archives in public institutions.
Before developing The Paper Trail project, Catherine spent 10 years uncovering the hidden works of Vancouver's first and most prolific Chinese photographer. The project “Chinatown Through a Wide Lens: The Hidden Photographs of Yucho Chow” resulted in an exhibition, an award-winning book and a digital archive of over 600 photos that is now housed at the City of Vancouver.
Today's Events & Programs
Your Friday’s Just Got Creative
Whether you’re a confident sketcher looking for community and inspiration, or someone who’s always wanted to try drawing but never felt brave enough—this is your chance!
Join us in a welcoming, relaxed environment where creativity flows and everyone belongs. Each week, we explore a new theme while building our skills and own drawing style. From investigating the intricate details of our natural history collection to learning and drawing from our gallery exhibitions.
What to Expect:
• A supportive space to learn, share, and enjoy art together
• Guided exercises with an experienced instructor
• Tips and techniques for all skill levels
• Quality drawing supplies provided (or bring your favorite sketchbook!)
No pressure, just possibilities. Come for the art, stay for the conversation.
Cost: $25 per session plus HST. 10% discount for members. Reserve your spot today online or by calling (709) 757-8090
Let’s draw together at The Rooms!
What fills the void when a species disappears?
Legends from the past and lessons for the future.
Step into our Connections Gallery and hear the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and endangered whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones.
Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, and get hands on with remarkable specimens. Then, stand in awe before The Earth, Our Mother, Billy Gauthier’s breathtaking sculpture carved from the skull of a fin whale.
Join us for an unforgettable experience where science meets storytelling and leave inspired, with a deeper love for the rich natural history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Included in the cost of admission. This tour is suitable for all ages and includes unique specimens not currently on display.
Your Friday’s Just Got Creative
Whether you’re a confident sketcher looking for community and inspiration, or someone who’s always wanted to try drawing but never felt brave enough—this is your chance!
Join us in a welcoming, relaxed environment where creativity flows and everyone belongs. Each week, we explore a new theme while building our skills and own drawing style. From investigating the intricate details of our natural history collection to learning and drawing from our gallery exhibitions.
What to Expect:
• A supportive space to learn, share, and enjoy art together
• Guided exercises with an experienced instructor
• Tips and techniques for all skill levels
• Quality drawing supplies provided (or bring your favorite sketchbook!)
No pressure, just possibilities. Come for the art, stay for the conversation.
Cost: $25 per session plus HST. 10% discount for members. Reserve your spot today online or by calling (709) 757-8090
Let’s draw together at The Rooms!
Fishing for Cod
For centuries, fishing for cod has played a vital role in the lives of the peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. Generations of fishing men, women, and children made use of the land and sea to sustain them and spent their lives “making fish.”
Each tour is approximately 30–40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
In celebration of Black History Month, join us for a special evening of music and poetry in partnership with SARfest, featuring performances by local artists Mado & Sam and Project Highlife.
This event was organized in conjunction with SARfest, the ‘St. John’s African Roots Festival’, which promotes African and Afro-descendant cultures in Newfoundland and Labrador through festivals, Black History Month celebrations, workshops, and other events.
Tickets: $15 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling 709-757-8090.
About the Performers:
Sam Youbal is a young self-taught musician, producer, and music director known for his passion for music. Fluent in more than four languages, Sam bridges cultural and musical boundaries with ease, bringing a unique global touch to every project
Madeline Diamond-Grah (professionally known as Mado) is an emerging musician and performer celebrated for her expressive voice, compelling stage presence, and emotional range. A bilingual artist fluent in English and French, Mado is passionate about connecting with diverse audiences through music.
Project Highlife is a dynamic musical collective led by Ghanaian bassist George Gogoe, featuring Khamadi “JJ” Ojiambo on guitar (Kenya), Julien Bouchard on drums and percussion(Canada), and Elena Vigna on violin (Mexico). Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the group delivers an electrifying fusion of highlife and Afropop, blending deep, infectious bass grooves, driving percussion, and expressive violin melodies into a distinctive, high-energy sound.