Year of the Dragon Exhibit

Myths and monsters. Legends and lore. Dragons have dominated cultural imaginations for millennia. In celebration of Lunar New Year, which begins the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Dragon, Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery interns delved into Scripps’ permanent collection on a quest to showcase these fantastic beasts in East Asian art.

Over thirty pieces, spanning a variety of media and hundreds of years, depict dragons as divine rulers of sea and sky, benevolent royalty who aid heroes on their journeys, and wise beings who can bestow gifts. Dragons are also symbols of protection, power, and status. A dragon’s horde of paintings, prints, ceramics, textiles, and cloisonné awaits you.

Curated by Katherine Arcinue (SC ‘24), Cecelia Blum (SC ‘24), Nia Carroll (SC ’26), Clementine Farnum (SC ‘24), Olive Gaetz (SC ‘25), Lena Kohls (SC ‘23), Zora Stewart (PZ ’24), and Jessica Yim (SC ‘25).