传/Chuán: Dialogues with Chinese Cultural Heritage  

Tuesday, September 8 - Friday, December 4, 2026 

Chinese culture is one of the great foundational traditions of human civilization, shaping art, philosophy, technology, governance, and global exchange over thousands of years. Its long and influential history remains essential to understanding not only East Asia, but the broader story of our interconnected world. 传/Chuán: Dialogues with Chinese Cultural Heritage offers visitors the opportunity to encounter this legacy through an exhibition that places the past and present in thoughtful dialogue. 

Rooted in the idea of 传 (chuán)—to transmit, to pass forward—the exhibition explores how cultural knowledge, stories, and artistic practices endure through acts of preservation, interpretation, and creative response. Historic materials are presented alongside contemporary works, inviting visitors to see heritage as dynamic and continually reanimated through human engagement. 

Featuring art, textiles, and books from JMU Libraries, the Madison Art Collection, the Historical Clothing Collection at the University of Virginia, and the Special Collections Research Center at George Mason University Libraries, 传/Chuán reflects the power of collaboration, scholarship, and public engagement. The exhibition offers a compelling vision of how cultural heritage can inspire new learning, dialogue, and connections across institutions, disciplines, and communities.