[iDiversity] WOMEN AND VIOLENCE: A New Dialogue Initiative Exhibition at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, Exhibit Opening & Reception-- Thursday, April 21st at 5:30 pm

Tue Apr 12 18:22:48 PDT 2005

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: 
Joann Natalia Aquino, Public Relations Manager
(206) 623-5124 ext. 106, jaquino at wingluke.org

WOMEN AND VIOLENCE

A New Dialogue Initiative Exhibition 
at the Wing Luke Asian Museum

Gallery of Contemporary Arts and Issues

Opens April 22, 2005 through September 4, 2005

SEATTLE, WA-   Every 9 seconds a woman is beaten in the United States. Each year, between 3-4 million women are battered. Studies report that 1 out of every 3 women have been physically beaten or raped, with perhaps many more undocumented cases not reported. Of all domestic violence victims 85-95% are female, with women age 20-34 enduring the highest rates of domestic violence. Statistics on violence on women also revealed that women are more likely to be attacked by someone they know rather than by a stranger.

Worldwide, and in our own communities, women are especially vulnerable to violence- in the home, in warfare, in public, and even in the workplace. Many of our own mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, partners, and friends have experienced abuse and violence simply because of their gender.

Women and Violence, a new exhibition at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, is a courageous view on the issue of violence toward women, particularly women in the Asian Pacific American community. Addressing historical and root causes, types of violence and abuse, and community response and action, this exhibition was created to present the issues objectively and provide a space for dialogue and feedback.

Exhibition topics includes: History of Violence Against Women; Types of Violence on Women including Women as Sex Objects, Sexual Abuse, Exoticism and Servanthood, Stereotypes on Asian Women, Economic & Workplace Inequalities, Women and War, Domestic Violence, and Trafficking; and Community Responses on the Issue.  An area for resource materials will also be available.

Women and Violence is part of the New Dialogue Initiative at the Wing Luke Asian Museum.   The New Dialogue Initiative is a multi-strategy program, including multi-sensory exhibits, that address community concerns and urgent needs about contemporary social issues and current news events, giving voice to underrepresented ideas and opinions from the Asian Pacific American community. The New Dialogue desires to proactively initiate dialogues around key issues and needs in the community, and create a safe space for mindful, dynamic dialogues that advocate for community empowerment, establish leadership and action, and bring new levels of understanding through unique and creative presentations.  For more information about the New Dialogue Initiative program at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, please visit http://wingluke.org/dialogue.html.

This exhibit would not be possible without the support of the following:  Prime Sponsors:  Amgen Foundation, The Ford Foundation, One Family Foundation, Verizon Wireless.   Community Partners:  Asian and Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center, Gabriela Network-Seattle Chapter.

EXHIBITION OPENING & RECEPTION
On Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 5:30 pm, Wing Luke Asian Museum members and the general public are invited to an exhibition opening and reception to commemorate the unveiling of the Women and Violence exhibit.  The event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibition opening and reception will be held at the Wing Luke Asian Museum at 407- 7th Avenue South, in Seattle's Chinatown/ International District.  To RSVP, please contact Joann Natalia Aquino, Public Relations Manager, at jaquino at wingluke.org or (206) 623-5124 ext. 106.

RECYCLE OLD CELL PHONES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
In an effort to provide domestic violence victims assistance to call for help, the Wing Luke Asian Museum in partnership with Verizon Wireless are teaming up for the HopeLine program, a national cell phone recycling program by Verizon Wireless directly benefiting victims of domestic violence. A cell phone drop-off box will be available at the Wing Luke Asian Museum to collect previously owned wireless handsets to be refurbished, recycled and/or sold, donating all the proceeds to non-profit domestic violence advocacy organizations and purchasing new handsets for victims.  For more information about this program and the Women and Violence exhibition, please contact Joann Natalia Aquino, Public Relations Manager, at jaquino at wingluke.org or (206) 623-5124 ext. 106.

The Women and Violence exhibition will be on view at the Wing Luke Asian Museum through September 4, 2005.

The Wing Luke Asian Museum is located at the heart of Seattle's historic Chinatown/ International District at 407-7th Avenue South.  Founded in 1967, the Museum has a regional and national significance, and celebrates its namesake of the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest, Wing Luke.  The Wing Luke Asian Museum- an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the 1995 recipient of the National Award for Museum Service, and the 2004 recipient of the City of Seattle Distinguished Human Rights Award- is dedicated to engaging the public in exploring issues related to the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans.

A museum like no other- The Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle, Washington is the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the country.  It is nationally recognized for its award-winning exhibitions and community-based model of exhibition and program development.  The Museum has embarked upon a remarkable journey to transform a building and a community by raising $24.7 million to rehabilitate the Kong Yick Building as its new permanent home in the heart of Seattle's Chinatown-International District.

**********************************
Joann Natalia Aquino
Public Relations Manager
Wing Luke Asian Museum
407-7th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104
phone: 206.623.5124 ext. 106
fax: 206.652.4963
www.wingluke.org
e-mail: jaquino at wingluke.org
joannnatalia_aquino at publicist.com

About the Wing Luke Asian Museum:
The Wing Luke Asian Museum is located at the heart of Seattle's historic Chinatown/ International District at 407-7th Avenue South.  Founded in 1967, the Museum has a regional and national significance, and celebrates its namesake of the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest, Wing Luke.  The Wing Luke Asian Museum- an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the 1995 recipient of the National Award for Museum Service, and the 2004 recipient of the City of Seattle Distinguished Human Rights Award- is dedicated to engaging the public in exploring issues related to the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans.

A museum like no other- The Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle, Washington is the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the country.  It is nationally recognized for its award-winning exhibitions and community-based model of exhibition and program development.  The Museum has embarked upon a remarkable journey to transform a building and a community by raising $24.7 million to rehabilitate the Kong Yick Building as its new permanent home in the heart of Seattle's Chinatown-International District.

To learn more about current exhibitions and exciting programs and events at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, please visit www.wingluke.org.

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Joann Natalia G. Aquino
Graduate Student, Department of Communication
University of Washington
E-mail: jnaquino at u.washington.edu, herstory at joannnataliaaquino.com

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, 
live along some distant day into the answers." -Rilke