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521 E. Lawther Dr. Dallas, Texas 75218 • White Rock Lake
www.bathhousecultural.com
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 25, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Media and Public Contact: Enrique Fernández Cervantes, Curator / Visual Arts Coordinator
enrique.fernandez@dallas.gov (214) 670-8723
Exhibition examines the journey of Vietnamese refugees who resettled in North Texas after the fall of Saigon
The Bath House Cultural Center presents
Becoming Texans, Becoming Americans
May 4-June 8, 2024
Reception: Saturday, May 4, 2024 (6-8 PM)
The Bath House Cultural Center presents the oral history exhibition “Becoming Texans, Becoming Americans” from May 4 to June 8, 2024. The center will host a reception with the artists on Saturday, May 4, from 6 to 8 PM. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
The Bath House Cultural Center presents "Becoming Texans, Becoming Americans," an interactive exhibition and oral history project spotlighting the journey of Vietnamese refugees who resettled in North Texas post the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Captured through the lens of Byrd Williams IV and the interviews conducted by Dr. Betsy Brody, this exhibition preserves the essence of the Vietnamese community's narrative. Through poignant photographs featuring individuals alongside significant personal objects, and the recorded testimonies, the exhibition serves as a vital testament to the resilience and stories of this remarkable community.
Since the end of the Vietnam War, North Texas has become a significant hub for Vietnamese refugees, with the community steadily growing since the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Initially supported by churches and organizations, subsequent waves of refugees found homes in North Texas, drawn by various factors such as climate, family connections, and employment opportunities. Today, North Texas boasts the fourth largest Vietnamese population in the U.S., with a substantial portion residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The "Becoming Texans, Becoming Americans" Oral History project chronicles the experiences of these refugees, shedding light on their integration into local communities, schools, workplaces, and social structures.
The project's interviews delve into the challenges faced by Vietnamese refugees as they adapted to life in North Texas, exploring issues in employment, education, and housing. Additionally, the interviews uncover insights into the refugees' perspectives on identity, encompassing their notions of Americanism, Vietnamese heritage, and the intersection between their past as refugees and their present as Americans. Themes of freedom, opportunity, and the influence of their Vietnamese background on their American identities emerge, revealing the complex interplay between their experiences in Vietnam and their lives in America.
For more information about the exhibition, visit https://bathhouse.dallasculture.org/becoming-texans-becoming-americans/. For and in-depth exploration of the project visit https://www.becomingtexansbecomingamericans.org.
 Downloadable Press Releases and Press Photographs:
To download press releases and print-resolution JPEG press photographs of this exhibition, please visit the online Press Room at https://bathhouse.dallasculture.org/press/
Location and hours:
The Bath House Cultural Center is located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake at 521 E. Lawther, Dallas, TX 75218. For general information about cultural programs at the Bath House Cultural Center, visit the center’s website at http://www.bathhousecultural.com/
Gallery viewing hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 12 PM to 6 PM. The center is open until 10 PM on nights with theater performances.
About the Center:
The Bath House Cultural Center is a division of the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. The center is dedicated to fostering the growth, development and quality of multi-cultural arts within the City of Dallas. The center emphasizes innovating visual and performing arts as well as other multi-discipline events throughout the year.
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