Artist Caroline Liu has unveiled a new exhibit at Gallery One inside City Hall, titled "Art Vault." The installation is available for viewing through March and aims to recreate The Chinese Garden in the Mimbres Valley. It emphasizes the importance of remembering forgotten chapters of New Mexico history.

The exhibit highlights the Wah family, who lived in the Mimbres Valley during the late 1800s. They managed a garden known as an "Oasis in the Desert," which provided food for neighboring towns and served as a tourist destination. During this period, Chinese Americans faced racism, referred to as "The Yellow Peril," leading to the Chinese Exclusion Act of May 1882. This act remained until its repeal on December 17, 1943.

"This installation takes inspiration from the Wah family’s garden to shine light on a Chinese family that persevered to create something beautiful for their family, their culture, and their community," said Liu. "The Wah family, along with many other Chinese families, laid the foundation for the thriving Chinese communities that flourish in New Mexico today."

Visitors can explore news articles and documents on display to uncover a code that opens a door to an imaginative garden protected by Menshen, traditional Chinese deities meant to safeguard inhabitants and encourage positive spirits.

Gallery One operates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, located on the first floor of City Hall at 1 Civic Plaza NW.