Richmond Art Gallery (RAG) reaches across the Pacific for a cultural exchange with Japan for its summer exhibition. Ongoing / Pacific Crossings is on show from July 25–October 4, 2026, curated by independent curator Makiko Hara and Nozomu Ogawa, Director of Tokyo’s Art Center Ongoing (Ongoing), the exhibition is the culmination of a seven-year cultural exchange between the RAG, Ongoing and Hara. Covering multiple disciplines; drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and video the exhibition will include works by Japanese artists Marico Aoki, Maiko Jinushi, Shiho Kagabu, Takuro Kotaka, Mineki Murata, Aoi Nakamura, Kento Nito, Hiroyuki Oki, Haruka Saito, Yusuke Shibata, Masahiro Wada, and Canadian Karilynn Ming Ho.
In addition to Ongoing / Pacific Crossings, RAG launches its new annual Indigenous Banner Series with Manuel Axel Strain’s vibrant work 
, meaning “Remember your teachings” in 
“Since 2019, we’ve been growing meaningful connections between emerging artists, curators, and arts organizations in Richmond, Vancouver, and Tokyo through our collaboration with Art Center Ongoing, a pioneer in Japanese contemporary art,” says Shaun Dacey, Director of Richmond Art Gallery. “As Richmond is a key centre of Japanese-Canadian history and culture, this project fosters dialogue around shared histories, diasporic experience, and contemporary cultural expression. We were also inspired by the accessible and community-driven cultural engagement that Ongoing does so well in their multifunctional gallery/cafe space. In the same vein, we are excited to host artist-led events, hot-pot gatherings, Japanese-language tours, and other programming throughout the duration of Ongoing / Pacific Crossings.”
Hara adds: “Today in Tokyo, there are countless established public and private contemporary art museums, international exhibitions, art fairs, commercial galleries, and collaborations between artists and high-end fashion brands. However, there is also growing demand for independent alternative spaces — like Art Center Ongoing — that dare to defy the mainstream and function as experimental venues. These crucial venues ask the fundamental question of what constitutes art, while also reflecting a need for opportunities for free expression, gathering, and exchange. With this subtext, Ongoing / Pacific Crossings invites viewers to imagine liberating possibilities for ‘alternativeness’ in both art and life.”
The exhibition is inspired by Pacific Crossings (PC), a curatorial initiative organized by Dacey, Hara, and other BC-based curators which develops new relationships with artists, curators, and arts organizations in Asia. PC provides a wide range of platforms for dialogue and exchange, such as curatorial and artistic residencies, online talks and lectures, screening events, workshops, and exhibitions. PC facilitated its first exchange in 2019, with Ogawa meeting with local artists and sharing the work of Ongoing with Vancouver audiences. In 2022, Ming Ho held an artist residency at Ongoing where she presented her video work Butterfly Dreams. Most recently, Shibata conducted artistic research in Richmond and Vancouver in March 2026, in preparation for a new work that will be featured in Ongoing / Pacific Crossings.
Also this summer, RAG launches a new public art initiative – Indigenous Banner Series: Manuel Axel Strain’s 
– annually presenting a new large-scale banner highlighting the artwork of a local Indigenous artist. Installed on the Gallery’s exterior walls facing Minoru Boulevard, the first banner in this series is by Manuel Axel Strain, a gifted artist of Musqueam, Simpcw, and Syilx descent. Originally handpainted in vibrant colours by the artist for the title wall of their solo exhibition of the same name at RAG in 2025, the banner powerfully asserts the artist’s connection and commitment to their family, the land, and Musqueam knowledge and teachings.
Strain’s banner will be on display from July 2026 to July 2027, with Ongoing / Pacific Crossings on exhibit from July 25 to October 4, 2026. For more information on the artists and works visit the Gallery’s website and social media for the most up-to-date information on upcoming programs and registration: richmondartgallery.org/upcoming-events.
Special public programming includes:
Opening Reception
Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 2pm to 4pm
Curators’ Tour with Makiko Hara & Nozomu Ogawa: 2–3pm
Performances by Mineki Murata: 2–4pm
Mixed media Drawing and Collage with Tomoyo Ihaya
Saturday, August 29, 1–4pm
Join guest artist Tomoyo Ihaya for a hands-on exploration of lift-drawing, a unique ink transfer technique on delicate rice paper
Curator’s Tours in English and Japanese
Saturday, September 12
English Tour: 1pm
Japanese Tour: 2pm
Exhibition Tour in Mandarin
Sunday, September 20 @ 2pm
Artist Salon: Karilynn Ming Ho on Art & Motherhood
Saturday, September 26, 2–3pm
Karilynn Ming Ho reflects on how motherhood reframes artistic practice from disrupted studio time to evolving materials, themes, and methods of production.