On April 4, 2025, the Curation & Exhibitions Interest Group visited the Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center’s exhibition Akito Tsuda: Pilsen Days.

The exhibition tells the story of Akito Tsuda and showcases his photography. Arriving in Chicago from Japan in 1988 at the age of 21, Tsuda enrolled at Columbia College Chicago in 1990. For a class photography assignment, Tsuda encountered Pilsen, where he was accepted in the homes and lives of the residents. Despite knowing only some English and no Spanish, Tsuda developed relationships with the people he photographed and made over 500 striking and intimate images in collaboration with the community. Exhibition project manager Johanna Russ guided CAA guests through the exhibit and shared insights into CPL’s exhibition development process.

Curation & Exhibitions Interest Group moderator Patti Gibbons and nine attendees participated in the event.