Artist Cha-Rie Tang (Photo – Metro Archive)
The Pasadena Museum of History is offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage directly with acclaimed artist Cha-Rie Tang through a series of special exhibition tours this spring.
By Melanie Hooks
Held on select Saturdays, April 25, and May 16, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, the sessions invite attendees to explore Tang’s work alongside both the artist and the exhibition’s curator. The guided experiences provide deeper insight into the creative processes and inspirations behind the pieces on display.
The tours spotlight highlights from Cha-Rie Tang: 48 Years of Artistic Innovation in Pasadena, a retrospective exhibition on view through May 24, 2026, in the museum’s History Center Galleries. Visitors can expect to see a diverse range of works, including vibrant fused glass creations, high-relief ceramic tiles, and framed sketches and designs. Tickets for the tours are available online, priced between $13 and $18.
Tang, founder of Pasadena Craftsman Tile, has built a decades-long career spanning architecture, interior design, and visual arts. Although she began in architecture, her work has evolved to incorporate ceramic tile and glass, materials she describes as “permanent,” after a chance discovery of historic tile molds inspired her artistic shift.
The exhibition is organized into six thematic sections, tracing Tang’s journey from her early influences to her experimentation with technology and materials, as well as her experiences running a tile business and creating public art. Her installations can be found across Southern California, including transit stations, libraries, and civic buildings.
A former Artist in Residence at the Pasadena Museum of History, Tang has returned to the role in 2026, further strengthening her connection to the institution. Her work, often inspired by the natural world, reflects a commitment to innovation and exploration across mediums.
The exhibition is presented in conjunction with Stories, Traditions & Designs: Spotlighting the African American Quilters of Los Angeles, broadening its cultural and artistic context.
For those interested in a closer look at Tang’s nearly five decades of work, the upcoming artist-led tours offer a rare and personal perspective.
Exhibition Sponsors: The Paloheimo Foundation and Susan Stevens & Family.
Curator's Tour: Cha-Rie Tang April 25, May 16 Saturdays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location Pasadena Museum of History 470 W. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91103 Buy ticket here.
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