"An Asian American Mosaic: A Juried Photography Show“ Is Coming to the Bowers Museum, May 20-26, 2026
Conducted by the Asian American Museum at Great Park, the photo exhibit showcases images of Asian American life in Southern California
The public is invited to Bowers to view the works of professional, amateur, and student photographers living in Southern California like Lisa Hu Chen of Irvine who focused their lenses on aspects of Asian American identity, culture, or lived experience. (Lisa Hu Chen)
A compelling display of 58 photos that capture diverse images of Asian American life in Southern California will be on exhibit May 20-28, 2026 in the John M. Lee Court at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California.
The Asian American Mosaic: A Juried Photography Show, conducted by the Asian American Museum at Great Park, challenged professional, amateur, and student photographers living in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties to focus their lenses on aspects of Asian American identity, culture, or lived experience they found intriguing.
Now in development, the new Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage and diverse stories of Asian American communities and beyond.
The winning photographers will be announced and their photos showcased at a private event reception in Irvine on Saturday, May 16 at the event, cash prizes ranging up to $2,500 will be awarded to the winners.
The esteemed panel of jurors for the contest included Los Angeles Times Executive Director of Photography Kim Chapin; Gong Cheng, sports photojournalist and Laguna College of Art and Design faculty member; award-winning photo artist Hiroshi Watanabe; and art enthusiast Katherine Shen.
“We referred to the contest as a mosaic because the Asian American experience is composed of countless unique pieces that together create a singular work of art,” said Irene Kinoshita, Steering Committee member of the Museum and chairwoman of the Mosaic exhibition. “These photos visualize an identity that is not a monolith, but instead is a fluid diverse, multiracial, multigenerational spectrum.”
The Museum’s Executive Director Jack Toan added, “The vision for the Museum was to create a culture-focused institution dedicated to celebrating Asian American heritage through immersive experiences and innovative technology. The Mosaic photographs help visualize that shared heritage for all who encounter them.”
For more information, visit Color, Culture, Continuum – An Asian American Mosaic: A Juried Photography Show Admission to the exhibit is free. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, California 92706.
About Asian American Museum at Great Park
Established in 2024, the Asian American Museum at Great Park was envisioned as a place of belonging—an inclusive, vibrant cultural hub to be located within Irvine, California’s Great Park, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks. The Museum invites people of all backgrounds to engage with the diverse histories, cultures, and lived experiences of Asian Americans through compelling exhibitions, educational programs, culinary and artistic expression, and community-centered gatherings. By lifting stories of resilience, creativity, and contribution, the Museum fosters connection, understanding, and shared experience across generations and communities. For more information, visit Asian American Museum at Great Park | Celebrating Asian American Stories, Culture & Heritage