In an age when even kindergarten kids learn keyboarding skills, Chinese brush painting may seem like an antiquated art form.
True, brush painting and Chinese calligraphy are indeed ancient arts, but people still practice them today. This weekend, visitors to The Magic House can watch a calligrapher in action before picking up a brush themselves.
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Calligrapher Jimmy Liu, who is also an award-winning ceramics artist, will be demonstrating Chinese calligraphy using traditional brushstroke techniques during drop-in workshops from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 and from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, February 10, as part of the museum’s monthly Visiting Artist Series.
This month’s Visiting Artist event pairs perfectly with The Magic House’s Children’s China: Culture, Character and Confucius exhibit, which opened on February 2 and runs through October 27. The exhibit features areas set up to mirror aspects of modern China, including a traditional neighborhood food market, a research lab in a panda reserve, and a home, where visitors will learn how families celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Carrie Hutchcraft, the Magic House’s chief administrative officer, says museum staffers are always looking for ways to add educational experiences to the museum’s offerings, especially if they create connections between exhibits, events, and the Magic House’s permanent collection.
“So the Chinese brush painting really helps give kids the chance to learn about that art style and try their hand at it,” she said. “And the timeliness of it in terms of our Children’s China exhibit is really exciting for us.”
The Chinese brush painting event is free with Magic House admission and has been a popular installment in the Visiting Artist series in the past. It also tends to be an all-ages activity that appeals to everyone from beginning writers to adults who might want to perfect their penmanship for scrapbooking or journaling.
“It’s certainly not easy, but it’s an art that everybody can feel they can try. It’s not an overwhelming activity,” Hutchcraft said. “And having a professional artist there to kind of guide and direct is really a wonderful enhancement.”
The Visiting Artist Series, sponsored by the Regional Arts Commission, brings a different artist or group to the Magic House on one weekend of every month.
“And what’s so exciting about it is that our team really pulls together a group of diverse artists and diverse art forms,” Hutchcraft said.
Next month, the series will showcase Irish dance and, in April, will highlight ceramics artists. And, as always, kids will get the chance to try the arts and crafts themselves, Hutchcraft said.
“So you could come every month to enjoy the Artist Series, to learn something new, to try a new experience, and always get a chance to connect with someone who is a professional artist.”
