“Flowers bloom in the heart”
The Chinese American Museum is hosting an Exhibition of Traditional Chinese Floral Arts on Sunday, July 21 at El Pueblo’s Pico House, located at 424 N. Main Street in Los Angeles. The event, organized by Pasadena nonprofit Chinese Floral Arts Foundation-USA, aims to showcase a millennia-old art form to the public.
“The exhibition will showcase the rich history of floral arts that spans over a thousand years, dating back to the Song Dynasty,” Vivian Chan, Curator and Executive VP of the USA Charter, said.
A delegation of floral masters from both the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation of Taipei, led by floral master Li Shu Lee, and the USA Charter will present an array of flower arrangements. These creations draw inspiration from China’s seasons and deep cultural heritage, offering visitors a visual journey through time.
Rosa Zee, Floral Master and President of the USA Charter, said the group is thrilled to “share these beautiful traditions with the public.”
Beyond visual displays, the exhibition also offers hands-on activities for attendees to immerse themselves in Chinese culture.Visitors can participate in flower arranging, calligraphy, and tea ceremony appreciation. A special lecture and demonstration on the life of an ancient Song Dynasty scholar will provide an interactive experience titled “Hands On Culture: Be A Scholar For A Day.”
The American Cancer Society will also have a team at the event with their “Love Notes Around The World” activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to write supportive messages for cancer patients, fostering a sense of community and compassion.
Established in 2012, the Chinese Floral Arts Foundation-USA Charter emerged from the Verdant Mist Scholar’s Society of the Huntington Library’s Chinese Garden. Its mission is to promote traditional Chinese floral arts and culture through education, exhibitions, and community engagement.
On its website, the Foundation says Chinese flower arranging originated more than 1,500 years ago. It served various purposes, including festival decorations, religious offerings, and expressions of scholarly appreciation. However, political turmoil in 19th-century China nearly led to the extinction of this art form.
The foundation aims to revive this ancient practice by bridging traditional philosophies with modern life. Their educational program, “Be A Scholar For A Day,” seeks to create diverse cultural learning experiences and instill an appreciation for lifelong learning habits.
The foundation also emphasizes the importance of the four skills traditionally valued by Chinese literati: playing music and chess, mastering calligraphy, and creating magnificent paintings and poems. They aim to bring back these spiritual enhancements in a modern context.
The exhibition is free to the public, with parking reimbursement available for one vehicle per family at the check-in table.
To register for the event, email info@chinesefloralarts.org.
For more information, visit www.chinesefloralarts.org.
