The Pacific Asia Museum is one of only four U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, serving Los Angeles and the Greater Southern California region. The museum’s historic building has served as a center for art, culture and learning in Pasadena since its construction in 1924 by pioneering collector and entrepreneur Grace Nicholson as her residence, galleries, and Treasure House/emporium. Ms. Nicholson’s championing of Asian art early in the century set the tone for much of the Pasadena community’s arts-related activities during the ensuing decades. The building also served as the site of the Pasadena Art Museum, which was renowned for its groundbreaking exhibitions of contemporary art, and the institution for whom the Pasadena Art Alliance was founded.

Funding will be used towards purchase a diptych, Opening word of this new scripture by South Asian artist Imran Quereshi, to be featured in the redesigned South Asia gallery for the inaugural exhibit The Art of South Asia. It will be the only example of his work in a museum in the western US. This will be on view in the fall of 2014.