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
Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.
Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.
Cost: $20 plus HST.
Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.
Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.
Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.
Cost: $20 plus HST.
Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.
Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!
Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.
What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.
This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.
Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.
Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!
Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador
Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!
Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.
What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.
This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.
Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.
Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!
Celebrate 20 Years of Stories with Music at The Rooms
Join us for a musical celebration of The Rooms’ 20 Years of Stories.
This performance will honour the season with a rich mix of traditional Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas music, original compositions, and stories deeply rooted in our shared culture. With its emotional resonance, musical excellence, and local voice, this concert aligns perfectly with The Rooms’ mission to preserve and celebrate the stories that shape our province.
Honouring The Rooms’ Legacy Through Song
To reflect the milestone anniversary, the show will feature Echoes in the Halls, an original composition by Linda Hickey and recorded by Hamilton Sound in 2025. This deeply moving piece was inspired by museum spaces and the sacred act of preserving memory. It serves as a tribute to The Rooms’ 20-year commitment to storytelling, curation, and the voices of past and present.
As the festive season draws near, the performance will also include a selection of beloved holiday music, filling the theatre with the warmth and joy of Christmas.
Come immerse yourself in this heartwarming celebration and enjoy the festive cheer—an unforgettable evening to share with family and friends.
Cost: $25 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090. (Does not include admission to the galleries.)