Poetry Reading for 50 Years of Hope and Ha Has
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Artists at opening of 50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs | Photo by Ashley Jaye Williams
Vagabond presents "50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs," a Vietnamese American art exhibition that celebrates the expansiveness of the diaspora, rooted in the DMV. This is the first of three exhibitions in 2025, supported by CAH's Art Exhibition Grant.
2025 marks the 50-year anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. The mainstream perception of Viets has remained unchanged for decades, rooted in the suffering of war, yet nothing about the community is static.
D.C.'s first Vietnamese American art exhibit subverts what it means to be Vietnamese by Suzanne Nuyen, 2/25/2025, NPR
The exhibition offers counter-narratives from the 1.5 and 2nd generation of Vietnamese Americans while uplifting the multi-cultural intersectionality of the diaspora. The theme of resilience is interwoven through joy, memorial, heritage, catharsis, solidarity, representation and community.
The exhibition features visual art, poetry, video art, zines, and music by Anthony Trung Quang Le, Antonius-Tín Bui and Theresa-Xuan Bui, Chanlee Luu, Hien Kat Nguyen, Jenn Tran, Jess Trúc My Nguyen, Khanh Aiden Nguyễn, Khánh H. Lê, Khoi Le, Kim Khouan Khong Sandara, Lộc "Leo" Nguyễn, Loc Huynh, Ngoc “Naomi” Le, Philippa Pham Hughes, Phượng-Duyên Hải Nguyễn, shawn williams, Thu Anh Nguyen, Valerie Plesch, superblooom*, Vagabond and Vănguard.
This exhibition is funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ Art Exhibition Grant program and curated by Anthony Trung Quang Le and Philippa Pham Hughes.
There are several programs scheduled throughout the exhibition dates, kicking off with an opening reception on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm.
Vagabond Exhibition Page: vagabondzine.com/exhibit