RISD Asian Alumni Reunion

May 29–31, 2026

This year’s Commencement + Reunion Weekend was extra memorable as we gathered together with our Asian alumni community for RISD’s inaugural Asian Alumni Reunion. We were honored to welcome alumni of all nationalities and heritage from across the Asian continent and islands, living in the US and internationally, back to campus for an incredible weekend of activity and connection.

This year’s theme, “Cuisine, Culture, and Community,” celebrates the culture and contributions of RISD’s Asian community, including but not limited to alumni who identify as Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southeast Asian, multi-racial Asian, or of the Asian diaspora.

Photo Galleries

Alums gathered at the Asian Alumni Reunion Welcome Reception

Password: risd1877

It was wonderful spending time with you. We hope you enjoy this look back at our weekend on RISD’s campus.

Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY, MAY 29

Curator tour of The Flower the Labor & the Sea 
RISD Museum Costume & Textiles Donghia Gallery
1-1:45 pm
Join us for a curator-led tour of The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea at the RISD Museum. This exhibition deconstructs the “high” of the Parsi gara to shed light on the colonial oppression and the vicious opium trade with which it is entangled. In addition to historical works, this installation also includes a new textile commissioned by the RISD Museum, produced in collaboration between Bhasha Chakrabarti and contemporary gara designer Ashdeen Lilaowala. (Space is limited)

Curator tour of The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums 
RISD Museum
1:30-2:15 pm
Join us for a curator-led tour of The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums at the RISD Museum. This exhibition explores the stories within two special albums of privately commissioned Japanese woodblock prints that were compiled in Japan the 1820s to 1830s. This exhibition reunites these two albums after almost a century, highlighting the unique cultural and artistic contexts in which these prints were commissioned, created, and shared. (Space is limited)

Welcome Reception
Market Square Tent
4-6 pm
Join us under the tent in Market Square for a welcome reception and kick-off for our 2026 Asian Alumni Reunion.

SATURDAY, MAY 30

Curator tour of The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums 
RISD Museum
10:30-11:15 am
Join us for a curator-led tour of The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums at the RISD Museum. This exhibition explores the stories within two special albums of privately commissioned Japanese woodblock prints that were compiled in Japan the 1820s to 1830s. This exhibition reunites these two albums after almost a century, highlighting the unique cultural and artistic contexts in which these prints were commissioned, created, and shared. (Space is limited)

Curator tour of The Flower the Labor & the Sea 
RISD Museum Costume & Textiles Donghia Gallery
11-11:45 am
Join us for a curator-led tour of The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea at the RISD Museum. This exhibition deconstructs the “high” of the Parsi gara to shed light on the colonial oppression and the vicious opium trade with which it is entangled. In addition to historical works, this installation also includes a new textile commissioned by the RISD Museum, produced in collaboration between Bhasha Chakrabarti and contemporary gara designer Ashdeen Lilaowala. (Space is limited)

No-Cook Potluck Party
The Met Upper Quad, 60 Waterman Street
12:30-3:30 pm
In celebration of our reunion theme, “Cuisine, Culture, and Community,” join us for a lively community potluck in the Met Upper Quad. Enjoy delicious bites from local Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Indian restaurants, connect with friends old and new, dance to an upbeat playlist, and collaborate on a shared art-making activity. Come hungry, come curious, and celebrate together!

“Class Photo”
The lawn of the First Baptist Church in America
4-4:15 pm
Take memories home with you! Gather on the lawn of the First Baptist Church for our Asian Alumni Reunion “Class” Photo! The photo will be available for download in the weeks following our reunion. You will receive an email with details on how to access the photo.

SUNDAY, MAY 31

Intergenerational Panel & Brunch
ProvWash (20 Washington Place) Auditorium
10:30 am-12:00 pm
Join Asian and Asian diaspora alumni and current students for brunch and conversation about their journeys to and through RISD. Hear personal stories, connect across generations, and celebrate the perspectives and contributions of Asian artists and designers in our community.

Featuring: Anjali Mody 09 ID, Jenny Chung 07 TX, Ahsan Najmi BArch 03, Rowe Park 25 IL and moderated by William Sun BArch 20

Attendees of the RISD Asian Alumni Reunion are also welcomed to attend Reunion Weekend community events across the weekend, regardless of their class year, including events at the Nature Lab, the Artists Party on Friday night, and WaterFire on Saturday night. Reunion Weekend events requiring tickets will be available to you during your registration process.

Make Plans

RISD Asian Alumni Affinity Group >

RISD Asian Alumni is inclusive of alumni of all nationalities and heritage from across the Asian continent and islands, living both in the US and internationally.

Visiting Providence>

Planning a longer visit to catch up and connect? Explore whats new and revisit old favorites across the city.

RISD Local: Rhode Island >

Our local community businesses play an important role in strengthening the Rhode Island economy and highlight the diverse professional opportunities that come from an art and design education.

Contact

Have questions about our Asian Alumni Reunion?

RISD Asian Alumni Advisory Board

Ahsan Najmi BArch 03 (Pakistan)
Anjali Mody 09 ID (India)
Boyeun Kim 96 GD (South Korea)
Isabel Kim 91 IL (United States)
Jennifer Chung 07 TX (China)
John Bai 14 ID (United States)
Lingzi Zheng MFA 19 DM (United States)
Lois Harada 10 PR (United States)
Ravista Mehra 18 GD (India)
Rex Wong BArch 03 (Hong Kong)
William Sun BArch 20 (Canada)
Yukti V. Agarwal BRDD 24 TX (India)
Yu Ting Huang MFA 19 DM (Taiwan)

Image credits: Leah LaRicci, Thad Russell MFA 06 PH,  Sean Pavone Photo, George Gray