Join VMFA in a celebration of the Lunar New Year and ChinaFest: Year of the Earth Pig! Explore Chinese art and culture through art-making activities, demonstrations, and performances. Decorate your own folding fan and create a miniature Earth Pig sculpture. Watch the dynamic Lion Dance, beautiful performances by Yu Dance Arts, and so much more!
Performances
The Pride: Lion Dance at UVA
10:45–11:00 am & 1:00–1:15 pm | Theater, Level L
The Pride: Lion Dance at UVA is UVA’s only student lion dancing troupe, bringing together students of many backgrounds and interests to share in the joy of lion dancing. Watch as dancers collaborate inside a lion costume to mimic the animal’s movements to the sounds of vigorous drumming.
Yu Dance Arts
11:05–11:30 am & 1:20–1:45 pm | Theater, Level L
3:00–3:15 pm | Atrium
Directed By Yu Xiao, Yu Dance Arts is a Richmond-based youth dance troupe that creates and produces intercultural dances combining Chinese traditional dances with Western modern aesthetics. The mission of Yu Dance Arts is to enrich the Richmond community by presenting Chinese-American identity, preserving and increasing awareness of Chinese heritage, sharing Chinese culture and traditions, and valuing other cultures and communities in the surrounding area.
Wushu Club at VCU
11:50–12:10 pm & 2:30–2:50 pm | Theater, Level L
Wushu Club at VCU is a sports club that centers around Wushu, a modern Chinese performance martial arts that combine areas of gymnastics, martial arts, and choreography. A famous example of a Wushu practitioner is Jet Li. Our club aims to spread the Chinese culture of Wushu to as many people as possible.
Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu
11:30–noon & 1:30–2:00 pm | Atrium, Level L
Watch and practice graceful warrior moves with Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu. This art was made popular in the 1950s by Grand Master Yip Man, whose best-known student is movie legend Bruce Lee!
RYSE Lion Dance at VCU
Noon–12:10 pm & 2:00–2:10 pm | Atrium, Level 1
This traditional troupe practices the Fut San style of lion dance, which originated in ancient southern China. The Ryse Lions have performed for various events such as weddings and festivals as well as with the Richmond Ballet.
Demonstrations
Language Workshop & Storytelling
10:40–11:10 am & 12:45–1:15 pm | Library, Level 1
Learn Chinese words and enjoy storytelling presentations led by students from the University of Richmond.
George Mason Confucius Institute
Tai Chi Demonstrations | 11:00–11:25 am, noon–12:25 pm, 1:00–1:25 pm
Create a Good Luck Envelope | Ongoing
Come learn Tai Chi from visiting scholars from Beijing Language and Culture University. Tai Chi demonstrations will be showcased on the hour and participants can even try to do some of the movements themselves afterwards. Learn more about this ancient form of slow-paced Chinese martial arts that is still very widely practiced today.
Calligraphy with William & Mary Confucius Institute
Noon–4:00 pm | Conference Room 1, Level L
Join the Confucius Institute at the College of William & Mary (WMCI), as they practice the beautiful art of writing Chinese characters. Chinese Calligraphy, the most revered fine art in China, is closely connected to Chinese culture, aesthetics, philosophy, and history. By practicing this traditional technique, you can learn how to write Chinese characters with a bamboo brush and appreciate the unique beauty of this art form.
Art Activities
Ongoing, 10 am–4:30 pm
Construct an Earth Pig Lantern with 1708 Gallery
Make a pig lantern to celebrate the Year of the Earth Pig.
Decorate a Chinese Folding Fan
Decorate a Chinese folding fan with plum blossoms.
Create a New Year Print
Make a Chinese New Year print to take home and place on your door for good luck!
Make a Miniature Earth Pig Sculpture
Celebrate the Year of the Earth Pig by making a miniature pig with air-dry clay.
Design a Hydrangea Greeting Card
Use paper petals to decorate a greeting card with Hydrangea flowers.
Community Activities
Ongoing, 10 am–4:30 pm
Plum Blossom Branches Community Project with SCRAP RVA
Atrium, Level 1
Create a collaborative display using paper flowers that will be put on display in the Atrium!
Play & Construct!
Marble Hall, Level 2
Use tangram shapes to create patterns and designs or experiment with Chinese instruments.
Lion Mask Photo Prop
Marble Hall, Level 2
Make a puppet mask to recreate the lion dance at home! Adorn your Lion Dancer mask with elaborate decorations. Make sure to wear your mask at the VMFA photo station!
Strike a Pose Photo Station
Marble Hall, Level 2
Bring the mask you created, inspired by the lion dancers, and strike a pose at our VMFA photo station.
Family-Friendly Film Showing
Early Childhood Classroom, Art Education Center, Level 1
Join us in our Early Childhood Classroom to watch family-friendly Chinese films.
Lantern Wishes
StArt Space, Art Education Center, Level 1
Select a paper lantern and write your wishes.
Community Voting Survey & Prize Table
Atrium, Level 1
Stop by to vote for your favorite activity during today’s Family Day and receive a fun prize to take home.
Explore the Galleries
StArt Space, Art Education Center, Level 1
stART Space, WestRock Art Education Center, Level 1
Pick up a gallery map in our new stART Space and explore our VMFA Galleries. Make sure to stop by our Interactive Gallery titled, Rhythm of Art, which explores the relationship of art and music.
VMFA’s Best Café
Atrium, Level 1
Stop by VMFA’s Best Café to pick up a tasty treat or delicious dish
inspired by the Chinese New Year! Hot food will be served until
3:30 pm and the grab-and-go food will be open until 4:30 pm in the
Best Café.
VMFA Shop
Atrium, Level 1
Explore beautifully crafted items in our VMFA shop.
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for our upcoming Family Day events listed below.
Sat, June 8, 2019, 11 am–3 pm for Celebrate African and African American Art: Mali
Generously Sponsored by:
