My Chinese Landscape Painting (Shanshui Hua) workshop was a wonderful success. I organized the event in partnership with the Fraser Valley Regional Library – Mission Branch. The library supported the project by handling promotion and registration. We used the largest meeting room in the library, which has a capacity of 22 seats. The class filled up quickly, and we even had a long waiting list. On the day of the event, about 18 participants attended in person.
This was truly a family-friendly event. Parents came with their children, and we also welcomed seniors and adults. It was very meaningful to see people sitting together, painting side by side, and sharing the same interest. The atmosphere was relaxed, happy, and highly interactive.
The workshop began with a short introduction and a discussion on the differences between Western landscape art and Chinese painting. Participants were curious and engaged, offering thoughtful comparisons from their own cultural backgrounds. We then introduced Qi Baishi, one of the most influential Chinese painters, and his famous motto “Paint what you know.” This helped participants understand that Chinese art values not only realistic representation, but also mood, spirit, and personal expression.
After the cultural introduction, everyone had the chance to try painting with traditional brushes, ink, and paper. We practiced basic elements such as mountains, water, trees, and ducks. The hands-on activity was the highlight of the workshop. Each participant was able to complete two to three small artworks, combining different elements in their own unique way. The process encouraged creativity and confidence, even among those who had never painted before.
The project ran very smoothly, with strong support from the library staff. The biggest challenge we faced was space limitation, as interest in the workshop exceeded the room’s capacity. We solved this by creating a waiting list, and many people expressed interest in joining future sessions. This showed us that there is a strong demand for cultural art programs in the community.
From this experience, I learned that art workshops not only teach skills but also build connections across ages and cultures. Families had fun, neighbors reconnected, and everyone left with a piece of art they were proud of. I am grateful to the NSG fund for making this project possible. It truly demonstrated how community support can bring people together through creativity, learning, and cultural exchange.
