“Scanning the Room,” an exhibition featuring 20 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists, will run May 5-28, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The show speaks to the identities, sentiments, and politics of the artists involved — and their perceived place as ‘the other’ in predominantly white space.

Artists included in the exhibit include Anida Yoeu Ali, Cheryll Leo-Gwin, Eliaichi Kimaro, Erin Shigaki, Hanako O’Leary, Jonathan Wakuda Fischer, June Sekiguchi, Lauren Iida, MalPina Chan, Marialina Wallace, Michelle Kumata, Miya Sukune, Nari Baker, Paula Onodera Wong, Saya Moriyasu, Soo Hong, Teruko Nimura, Thuy-Van Vu, Trenton Quiocho, and Yoshi Nakagawa.

The concept for the show was conceived by June Sekiguchi, who also served as co-curator. After being invited to co-curate a show at VCA for AANHPI month, Sekiguchi wanted to give substance and direction to the show, versus just putting AANHPI artists together without any other connection besides their heritage.

“My upbringing as one of the few Japanese or Asian families in Northwest Arkansas, during the civil rights movement, imprinted the fact that we were the ‘other,’ which has had a lasting effect on me to this day,” Sekiguchi said. “In speaking to other AANHPI artists, they immediately got my meaning about ‘Scanning the Room’ and I could see this was a strong curatorial direction to follow.”

To scan a room, according to Sekiguchi and others use the term, is an automatic response for many people in the AANHPI community to gauge the racial makeup of a space upon entering. The response could gauge physical safety, or simply represent observational awareness that is physically, emotionally, and psychically increased when navigating spaces that have a majority Caucasian racial makeup.

For Sekiguchi, the message is personal.

“I have always scanned the room everywhere I go, stemming from being a minority,” she said. “Within increased anti-Asian hate, I felt it was important to bring light to how we feel.”

The artists invited to show in the exhibition come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, and their work reflects the diversity of the AANHPI experience.

AANHPI is an umbrella term for people who identify as Asian American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and descend from the countries and cultures of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Native Hawaiians.

This term is often used as a form of resilience in the face of racism and discrimination. By embracing this term and their shared heritage, AANHPI people cultivate a sense of belonging and connection with one another.

Sekiguchi is a full-time artist in sculpture, installation, and public art. She is a curator producing events in Seattle and Tacoma for over 12 years and currently serves on the board of directors for the Asian Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma.

What experiences or “takeaway” does Sekiguchi hope gallery-goers will have the upcoming exhibit at VCA?

“I hope visitors value the individual narratives of each artist, understand that we don’t want to be whitewashed with colorblindness, but rather, appreciate and celebrate unique cultures within the AANHPI communities,” she said.

“In light of the political environment of increased negativity of people of color, we need to celebrate, support, and advocate for minority voices,” she added.

The show runs May 5 to 28 during AANHPI Month in the United States.

Many artists will be in attendance for the exhibit’s opening reception, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 5. Regular gallery hours are 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For more information, visit gallery.vashoncenterforthearts.org.