The Crow Museum, the only museum in Texas dedicated solely to Asian arts and culture, is getting a new name and a multi-million-dollar upgrade.

The reimagined Crow Museum of Asian Art, formerly known as the Crow Collection of Asian Art, recently underwent a facelift and expansion. Additions include a new gallery, an interactive “street-side” Pearl Art Studio, a reinterpreted Lotus shop, and a Center for Contemplative Leadership.

“We believe this major investment — that makes the museum more open, inviting and accessible — will position the organization for growth in the coming decades.”
Abraham Carrillo

The Crow Collection is currently celebrating its 20th year in Dallas, but will be opening its first new exhibit as a museum — featuring artist Jacob Hashimoto — on Sept. 28.

“As we celebrate our 20th year, what a tremendous opportunity to introduce Jacob Hashimoto and his stunning works to the people of North Texas,” Executive Director Amy Lewis Hofland said in a statement. “Not only are visitors going to be astonished by the grace, magnitude, and intricacy of his work, but I think they’ll also love learning of the educational aspect.”

The collection is currently funded in part by the Trammell and Margaret Crow family, but with the help of the new expansion, the museum hopes to become financially independent.

“The Crow Collection currently sees tens of thousands of visitors every year,” Abraham Carrillo, director of operations for the Crow Collection, told the Dallas Observer. “We believe this major investment — that makes the museum more open, inviting and accessible — will position the organization for growth in the coming decades.”

Hofland also told the Dallas Observer that in the past two years, the art collection has raised more than $2 million independently.

What you should know about Jacob Hashimoto’s new exhibit, Clouds and Chaos

Three-dimensional artist Jacob Hashimoto will have his exhibit, Clouds and Chaos, on display at the Crow Museum of Asian Art from Sept. 28 through April 7, 2019. Hashimoto’s central work for the exhibit is called “Nuvole,” which translates to “clouds.” The piece will be composed of thousands of miniature ‘kites’ or discs crafted from bamboo and intricately cut paper.

“The Eclipse” by Jacob Hashimoto was on display in Venice, Italy last year during the Venice Biennale at the Palazzo Flangini. [Photo: Michele Alberto Sereni, Courtesy of Studio la Città, Verona, Italy]

Hashimoto also selected art students from UNT-Denton to be on-site as he installed his work. The students were able to work directly with Hashimoto at the Crow Museum in downtown Dallas, helping him with the main piece.

“It was [Hashimoto’s] idea to recruit students majoring in sculpture at UNT-Denton to work side-by-side with him to assist in the installation,” Hofland said in the release.

The exhibit will also be accompanied by some of Hashimoto’s woodblock print work. This will be the first time these pieces are on display in the United States.

[Photo Courtesy: Leila Heller Gallery, Dubai]

“The plan is to complete the museum with spaces that fulfill the visionary spirit of co-founders Margaret and Trammell Crow and support our work to create the Crow Collection as Dallas’ Asian art museum – one that is accessible, relevant and for the community,” Hofland said to Art and Seek.

With the help of Hashimoto’s Japanese-influenced exhibit, this vision will hopefully become a reality. You can learn more about the new display at the Crow Museum of Asian Art, and plan your visit, here.