Pui Tak Center

The On Leong Merchant Association building, now known as the Pui Tak Center, was completed in 1928. This historic landmark, with its pagoda-shaped towers and terra cotta adorned with Chinese motifs, proudly marks Chinatown’s presence in Chicago. Beyond its architectural significance, the building has long served as a vital resource for immigrants starting new lives in the U.S.

When I was in Chicago over the summer, I met with Pui Tak’s director, David Wu. David kindly shared a detailed history of Chicago’s Chinatown and introduced me to the interim president of CAMOC. The next day, she and I had lunch together, and she invited me to exhibit my work at CAMOC.