Center for Lao Studies' Between Two Worlds: Untold Stories of Refugees from Laos Opening Reception

Join us for a special evening celebrating the OPENING OF Center for Lao Studies powerful traveling exhibition, Between Two Worlds: Untold Stories of Refugees from Laos and a new exhibition by artist Rizzhel Javier. Enjoy entertainment, drinks and food from local Laotian vendors! Between Two Worlds: Untold Stories of Refugees from Laos presents and juxtaposes the crucial stages of refugees from Laos and multi-ethnic Lao American history through the representation of four homes. As visitors move physically and symbolically through each, they will be asked to contemplate ideas of “home” as seen through the eyes of people for whom the notion is precarious, and for those who have lived “between two worlds.” The exhibit will also feature stories from local San Diego families. The Between Two Words: Untold Stories of Refugees from Laos is a project of the Center for Lao Studies and is made possible with the generous support from The McConnell Foundation, California Humanities, and Central Valley Community Foundation. Exhibiting in tandem will be a special site specific installation by artist Rizzhel Javier. A public engagement project and multi-media exhibition that invites the community to share images and memories about family origin and diaspora. As an extension of her personal project, Exodus, Rizzhel Javier revisits the paper boat as a universal symbol for travel, migration and escape.