Asian Arts & Culture Association (AACA)

Opening Reception of the “Beautiful Orient” Exhibition
We are pleased to invite you to the opening reception of the “Beautiful Orient – North American Exhibition of Advanced Training Center of China Academy of Art.” The event will take place at the Art Exhibition Hall on the first floor of Holladay City Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah.

DATE: November 8, 2024 (Friday)
TIME: 16:30
LOCATION:
Art Exhibition Hall at Holladay City Hall
4580 South 2300 East
Holladay, UT 84117

This exhibition primarily features artworks by teachers from the Advanced Training Center of China Academy of Art, supplemented by artworks from current students, showcasing over 60 pieces of traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, and seal carving.

A short introduction about China Academy of Art – As the first national higher art institution in China with the most complete academic disciplines and a well-structured scale, China Academy of Art has a history of 96 years. It comprises five campuses: Nanshan, Xiangshan, Zhangjiang, Liangzhu, and Xianghu, with over 10,000 students and about 1,000 faculty members. With a mission to inherit and develop traditional Chinese art, this institution has nurtured a generation of masters in Chinese painting, including Fengmian Lin, Tianshou Pan, Binhong Huang, Yanshao Lu, and Zao Wou-Ki. It has also cultivated new artistic creative teams, such as those behind the game “Black Myth: Wukong.”

Welcome to try out our Chinese traditional calligraphy and water ink painting class.

Our new quarter started on September 2 for the 2023-2024 school year. Wow, our students continue to surprise us by making heart-felt art works.

Currently, our lessons start at 3:30pm in Sandy on Sego Lily Drive near Sandy Library. The structure remains the same, there are 12 1-hour lessons each quarter with a tuition of $360. For missed lessons, we provide recordings for the students to work on to catch up while they will receive a bit extra aid from the instructors in the following lesson. 

In addition to calligraphy and painting, we are still teaching the students, through music and various traditional Chinese instruments, about Chinese culture, traditions, (24) solar terms, and but not limited to classic Chinese literature and poems. 

There has been interest from the group of local students at various Chinese Immersion Program schools. Our rule of thumb is that we strive to speak a minimum foreign language (in contrast to Mandarin Chinese) so that the students will think, understand, and absorb the concepts and techniques in the mother tongue of Chinese calligraphy and painting.

1. Learn water-ink paintings, focus on the 12 zodiac signs and 24 solar terms of China, and learn various calligraphy styles.
2. Learn Chinese characters and ancient poems about the 24 solar terms.

1. Learn Chinese calligraphy: seal script/official script, learn classical works, and write Chinese poems.
2. Learn Chinese painting of “Plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum.”

** Parents and children can take lessons at the same time so parents can turn their supposedly “waiting” time into something fruitful! Our observations are that students do better when their parents are “on board” as well. They can be each other’s motivation and it enhances the bond between the parents and the children as a by-product!

*** For supplies, we offer brushes and some materials that are non-available or otherwise less economically available for reasonable prices.

• Content:
  • Learning basic knowledge of Guqin (including understanding Guqin culture and history)
  • Learning Guqin styles and structures
  • Learning basic fingering techniques for both hands on the Guqin
  • Learning to play simple Guqin pieces
• Frequency: Once a week
  • Cost: $30 per hour

• Content:
  • Introduction to Guqin Culture and History, Cultural Connotations of Guqin
  • Introduction to Guqin Styles and Basic Structure
  • Introduction and Appreciation of Famous Guqin Pieces
  • Guqin hands-on Experiencing
• Frequency: Once a month
• Cost: Free

These classes cater to different levels of interest and commitment, with the public welfare class offering a broader overview of Guqin culture and history for those curious about the instrument, while the regular basic class provides more structured and intensive learning for those wishing to delve deeper into playing the Guqin.

• Content:
  • Free Chanting
  • Traditional Music Experience and Relaxation
  • Tea Ceremony and Music Meditation
  • Chinese Music Therapy
  • Chinese Music Appreciation
• Frequency: Biweekly
• Cost: $30 per 45 minutes

An enlightened gathering of appreciating cultivated brilliance. (雅集) 

Join us for an enlightened gathering to fathom the essence of Chinese culture. The program covers a wide spectrum of traditional charms, including Gu Qin (古琴) appreciation, Yi Shui Kong experience (一水空, traditional breathing, and martial arts to train your inner strength), on-site Chinese calligraphy practice, reciting & chanting, 24 solar terms study (时令), and etc.

You are invited to participate in this astonishing program and experience the beauty of Chinese culture.

https://slcls.libnet.info/event/8040961 (The event number will change since this is a monthly recurring event, please check the Sandy City Library website.)

Frequency: Every 2nd Saturday of the month 10 am – 12:30 pm

Cost: Free