Lunar new Year
Welcome to Paradise Valley Community College’s 13th Annual Lunar New Year event, celebrating the Year of the Horse! This year’s program highlights a timely Taiwan panel discussion; educational and interactive activities such as digital art and Chinese calligraphy; and scholarly presentations on ikebana and historical Chinese art and architecture. We are delighted to have you with us and hope this gathering brings joy, learning, and cultural connection to all.
Enjoy and Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Asian Lunar New Year!
Buxton Library and PVCC Int'l & Intercultural Education Committee
Lunar New Year Events
A Glimpse of the Historical Treasures of Shanxi Province, China
Tues, Feb 17th 10:30 - 11:45 A.M. | KSC1000A
Tomi and Lili will work together to explore some of the world’s most celebrated artistic and architectural masterpieces in Shanxi Province, northern China. Cradled between two mountains and the Yellow River, Shanxi is home to exceptionally preserved cultural treasures that span more than three millennia—from the dramatic Hanging Temple to the majestic Tang-dynasty Foguang Temple. Lili will contribute photos and video clips from her 2024 journey back to her home province.
Presenters:
Tomi Johnston, PVCC Art Faculty
Lili Kang, PVCC Library Faculty
Inspirational Ikebana
Tues, Feb 17th 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. | KSC1000A
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging—an expression of our desire to create beauty and form. This practice brings natural botanical elements such as flowers, branches, and leaves into our living spaces, fostering harmony between humans and nature, as well as the traditional triad of heaven, earth, and humanity. In his demonstration and lecture, Ping Wei Sensei will introduce the core concepts and techniques of ikebana while creating live examples of this timeless art.
Presenter:
Ping Wei, PVCC Adjunct Faculty
Digital Art and Chinese Calligraphy
Wed, Feb 18th 9:00 - 10:15 A.M. 10:30 - 11:45 A.M. 12:00 - 1:15 P.M. | Library E102B
From Oracle Bone pictographs to contemporary Chinese calligraphy, this presentation traces the evolution of Chinese writing, enhanced by student-created computer animations. It explores the historical development of key characters, highlighting their transformation across different calligraphic styles and the cultural and linguistic meanings embedded within them. Attendees will also have the opportunity to practice calligraphy using traditional materials and enjoy visuals, animations, and video clips that provide an immersive and dynamic learning experience.
Presenters:
Lisa Tolentino, PVCC Art Faculty
Lili Kang, PVCC Library Faculty
Taiwan Panel
Wed, Feb 18th 11:00 - 12:15 P.M. | KSC1000A
As North Phoenix’s Taiwanese community continues to grow, this panel brings together community members whose lives and experiences are tied to Taiwan in various ways. Through their personal stories and cross-cultural experiences, our panelists will introduce key aspects of Taiwanese culture and share practical tips for building stronger intercultural connections. Join us for an insightful conversation that celebrates community, curiosity, and understanding.
Eastern Wellness
Wed, Feb 18th 2:00 - 3:15 P.M. | KSC1000A
Please join our Lunar New Year 2026 celebration for a sample practice of meditation, yoga, and tai chi with PVCC's Eastern Wellness professors Angela Ambrose and Ping Wei. This insightful experience will allow you to sample beginner-level postures from traditional Eastern Wellness philosophies and learn some foundational reasoning behind these practices.
Presenters:
Angela Ambrose, PVCC Adjunct Faculty
Ping Wei, PVCC Adjunct Faculty
Learn More
If you have enjoyed Paradise Valley Community College’s 13th annual Lunar New Year celebration exhibition, please take a moment to visit our Lunar New Year archives which highlight the previous 12 years of Lunar New Year celebrations.