Today we were at the freshly renovated Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Here, as one of the first people to check out their inaugural exhibit in their newly renovated feature hall.
This is Vitality: Iconic Images, Hidden Stories. It features Fred Herzog’s iconic photography paired with rare, untold stories of resilience and creativity from Vancouver’s Chinatown’s archives. We were given a tour by one of the exhibition curators, who spoke to her own direct connection to the images, as a child at a live chicken butchery.
The chosen colour and font speaks to “Vitality” and represents the full circle work of the Storytelling Centre and the Chinatown Foundation. Both of which have diligently gathered stories of Chinatown elders, in an effort to revitalize the area. They are not hoping to bring back the same lustre of a booming Chinatown in the 60’s and 70’s that the exhibit showcases, but are hoping this exhibit brings in new energy to area. People who come down to take in the artistic showcase and enjoy some of the local eateries while in the area.
The exhibit will be running from April 11th, 2025 until the end of December with Herzog photos on loan. Described as “a collection of stories not precious thingsl. The museum’s hope is that people come through and recognize faces in the many photos and thus flush out a further richness of the displayed story.
Photos showcase the architecture and the buildings that still stand today, some that are only steps away. The story told of the first printing shops and the displacement of low income Chinese Canadian in Strathcona. Stories from when Chinatown and East Hastings was the premier entertainment district with pool hall adventures and gambling club intricacies. There was even once upon a time that you could buy live chickens and have them slaughtered to go.
For those who visit and want to take the memories and stories with them, you can do so with their commemorative, companion coffee table book. Within it 16 stories, five more than what is pictured and displayed on the galley walls. All proceeds go to preserving Chinatown’s culture and history.
Once again the exhibit officially opens on April 11th and to celebrate there is special priced general admission all weekend (April 11-April 13, 2025!). Tickets are $10 per person (regular price $12.50). All ticket holders also get 10% off all merchandise, including Vitality exhibit products and the beautiful companion art book. And to make a night of it, your ticket also unlocks special offers at select Chinatown restaurants for the same day/night of your visit.
Can’t make it in on time? You can still enjoy Herzog’s photos projected on the exterior of the building.
Chinatown Storytelling Centre
168 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T5
(604) 225-0055
chinatownstorytellingcentre.org
