NEWS

Art program works to bridge the Pacific Ocean

Bradley W. Parks
Reporter

ZANESVILLE – A crowd of about 50 people crowded around a pair of folding tables draped with canvas Tuesday at the Zanesville Museum of Art.

Zhe Qi paints during a demonstration of Chinese art Tuesday at the Zanesville Museum of Art.

Two Chinese artists, Lu Xiaoyu and Zhe Qi, worked quickly and quietly, taking short, precise jabs and strokes at sheets of rice paper with soft brushes.

After about 20 minutes, Lu and Zhe had created detailed paintings of mountains and flowers. The audience clapped, cheered and snapped photos as the artists smiled and held up their work.

Yan Sun, a local artist and professor of the arts at Muskingum University, beamed and invited more people to try the classic Chinese painting method.

The demonstration was part of an exchange program run by Yan in which he brings top Chinese artists to the U.S. He makes a point to bring them to Zanesville and Muskingum County during their tours.

"I think Muskingum County is real America," Yan said. "Usually they visit New York and Los Angeles and they think only the big cities or super cities are the symbol of America. ... I don't think so."

This is the second year Yan has hosted the program at the Zanesville Museum of Art.

Yan said the program helps bring "the Muskingum River to the Yellow River," giving both parties a unique cross-cultural experience.

Pat Stoneking is a member of the museum and came from McConnelsville to attend. She said learning about a different style of art while breaking communication barriers with visiting students was an enjoyable experience.

"I think it's great for Zanesville. I think it's great for the students," Stoneking said. "If they're going to New York City, coming here will be a great contrast."

After the Chinese artists finished the demonstration, they invited others to the front to attempt the painting method using paints and water.

Joan Quinn was one of the first to volunteer. Yan, who has taught at Muskingum for 18 years, was Quinn's professor when she studied painting.

Quinn said she hopes the visiting artists can learn as much from Zanesville artists as she did from their demonstration.

"It's different art, a different style. Each artist is different," Quinn said. "The personality is in the painting."

The Chinese delegation of professors, deans and students came from Yan's birthplace in the city of Lanzhou, Gansu province, in central China and Northwest Normal University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in painting and drawing. Yan also has taken groups of students from Muskingum County to China, making a stops in Lanzhou.

He aims to expand the program to build a two-way bridge for cultural exchange from southeastern Ohio to China, and he credits the program's early success to enthusiastic artistic communities in Zanesville and Lanzhou.

"We have built the bridge across the Pacific Ocean," Yan said. "Both sides can get the benefits. I want to let Americans know real Chinese and let Chinese know real Americans."

Yan said he was happy to see this year's 28 Chinese delegates' eagerness to learn about the artists in his life and his area. He said the local arts community has matched the delegates' excitement step for step.

"I really like this community because I have so many friends," Yan said. "I know that Muskingum County is one of the best places in the United States."

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