The Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena

Treasures of the Orient

Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 449-2742 xtn 10
Hours: Wed - Sun: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Cost: $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, under 12 Free. Free the 4th Friday of every month. AAA discount.
Parking: Free in the lot at the corner of Union and Los Robles
Website: www.pacificasiamuseum.org
Time needed: At least an hour

The Pacific Asia Museum is designed to look like a Chinese villa. It was built in 1929 as the home and sales galleries of Grace Nicholson, an early dealer of oriental and western art. The galleries surround an inner courtyard garden with a koi pond. The Chinese Garden is an exhibit in itself, featuring architectural elements, sculptures and plants that play a significant role. A zig-zag bridge prevents evil from making its way into the garden. Deer sculptures signify long life. Lotuses symbolize purity and the potential for enlightenment.

The museum is relatively small, with a half dozen galleries around the courtyard which display the art and cultural elements of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Rotating themed exhibits are created from the Pacific Asia Museum's collection of 14,000 artistic works and artifacts. You may see Japanese abstract paintings, a thousand years of Chinese ceramics, Tibetan furniture, costumes of Korea or Pakistan, or Buddhist icons from many cultures. There are also expanded virtual exhibits on the museum's web site that go into greater depth and present additional items from the collection.

The compact size of the museum means that you can actually take the time to read what is written about the artifacts without worrying about running out of time or energy. Not every display case has accompanying text. Check when you enter to see if there is a carry-along guide for the exhibit. Sometimes laminated information sheets are available from a wall pocket near the gallery entrance.

The Pacific Asia Museum offers ongoing programs including guest lectures, the "Authors on Asia" series, Saturday morning Tai Chi classes, Saturday Chinese Brush Painting classes and other special events. Some are free with admission, others require a separate fee.

The Gift Shop has a nice selection of books, handcrafts, replicas and Asian antiques.

Free tours can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more. Call (626) 449-2742 ext. 31 for reservations.