Exhibition: Museum of Chinese in America, New York
Where Tradition, Community, and Play Converge
The Mahjong West Media Pop-Up Exhibition at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) took place on February 12, 2025, at 215 Centre Street in New York City. Running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the one-day exhibition drew a remarkable crowd despite snow, limited parking, and a midweek date. By evening, the event was completely sold out—highlighting the growing enthusiasm for mahjong and its cultural relevance.
Visitors explored the game’s rich history through rare, hand-carved mahjong sets more than a century old, each accompanied by its origin story. A centerpiece installation featured a vintage suitcase filled with framed portraits from the upcoming book Tiles That Unite: Portraits of Mahjong Players Across the U.S. Guests were invited to lift out portraits and read the players’ stories, creating an intimate, hands-on connection to the people behind the tiles.
Live play brought the exhibition to life as many of the featured players gathered at tables to demonstrate American, Chinese, and Hong Kong styles of mahjong. Interactive elements deepened engagement throughout the day, including mahjong-themed coloring pages by New York artists Peach Tao, Karen Aruba, and Yuchen Lu; curated historical displays by historian Annelise Heinz; and a video of master craftsman Ricky Cheung hand-carving tiles, offering insight into the game’s traditional craftsmanship.
As evening arrived, the gallery transformed into a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration honoring the Year of the Snake. Guests enjoyed expert instruction from Sokie Lee (Chinese mahjong) and Beverly Hershkovitz (American mah jongg), alongside music by award-winning DJ Po Cheng Yeh, blending traditional and contemporary sounds. Through live play, storytelling, learning, and celebration, the MOCA exhibition embodied Mahjong West Media’s mission—bringing people together through culture, history, and shared experience, one tile at a time.
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Mahjong West Media curates experiences that spark discovery, foster connection, and honor the game’s evolving story—both in traditional and unexpected ways.
Celebrating Mahjong Across America at MOCA
Mahjong Game Play
Connecting Through Tiles
Mahjong Game Play
Six tables, four players each, and countless stories in play—live mahjong at MOCA transformed the gallery into a living exhibition. Chinese, Hong Kong, and American styles were played simultaneously, the cheerful clatter of tiles filling the room with energy, laughter, and connection.
Art Meets Mahjong
Connecting Through Tiles
Mahjong Game Play
At MOCA, visitors were invited to let their inner Picasso flow with mahjong-inspired coloring pages by artists Peach Tao, Karen Aruba, and Yuchen Lo. From there, guests could jump right into learning Chinese or American mahjong, or explore the rich history and traditions behind the game.
Tiles That Unite
Connecting Through Tiles
Connecting Through Tiles
Out of a vintage suitcase emerged framed portraits of mahjong players from Tiles That Unite, representing all 50 states. Guests were invited to lift portraits from the luggage or select from those spread across the table, choosing from more than 150 images. Each portrait offered a personal glimpse into the lives of the players.
Connecting Through Tiles
Connecting Through Tiles
Connecting Through Tiles
No matter the version or who sat across the table, the game was about camaraderie, laughter, strategy, and focus. Players switched tables and played with strangers, showing Tiles That Unite in action—mahjong connects people across generations, backgrounds, and experiences through joy and shared play.