Play The Texas Coast September - November | Page 17

A SOUTH TEXAS
BRIDGE TO ASIA
The “Sparkling City by the Sea” also known as
Corpus Christi, is home to one of the largest
Asian Culture Museums in the United States
where beautiful Asian artifacts are on public display. The Museum is a home for amazing artifacts
from the far east; where Chinese symbols of nobility, perfection, consistency and immortality
are depicted in a collection of intricately-carved
jade pieces; a home where you can discover the
rare beauty and artistry of Japanese kimonos and
porcelains - including a rickshaw. A home whose
interiors will transport you to Asia where you’ll
experience exotic treasures from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Hmong, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Laos and Myanmar and where you
will hear stories and learn of the richness each
country’s people have to offer. All of this can be
yours with a trip to the Texas State Museum of
Asian Cultures & Education Center.

The museum was founded in 1974 by native
Corpus Christian, Mrs. Billie Trimble Chandler, who lived and taught in Japan for 17 years
during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Embracing the Japanese culture she began collecting rare cultural
artifacts and art and returned with thousands of
paintings, sculptures and Hakataclay dolls. Mrs.
Chandler’s extensive collection can be seen at
the Museum, along with many other wonderful
Asian antiquities.
Along with the incredible Asian treasures on display, education also plays a very important role
and is the main mission of the Museum. Children and school groups are frequent visitors to
the nonprofit Museum and summers are always
busy. Special classes are offered at the Museum
where students can learn about Asian cooking,
culture and art. The Texas State Museum of Asian
Cultures & Education Center is a rare and wonderful resource for the community and helps to
promote an understanding and awareness of the
Asian people and their culture.

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