Chinese Art Exhibition welcoming Year of the Dragon

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Chinese Community Center (CCC) is preparing for its Annual Lunar New Year Gala Show with an art exhibition. A portion of the paintings sold will benefit the CCC and the artists who live in Tianjin, a Chinese city.

“They are the chubby, lovely, red-cheeked babies that carry symbols such as the Dragon. It has this historical part, the children in these historical costumes,” described President of the CCC, Wei Qin.

President Qin was born in the Year of the Dragon. She says these years have a greater meaning than the other eleven represented by common animals.

“We as Asians have such a deep, deep love for dragons. It’s not a day-to-day animal like a rat or a rooster, those weird things, but a mysterious, powerful figure.”

This will be the first Chinese Lunar New Year recognized as a New York school holiday. The day falls on Saturday, February 10 this year, but next year…

“…2025, it falls on a Wednesday. The kids will be snuggled up at home not going to school. Parents, be ready for that!” exclaimed Qin.

CCC’s 50th Lunar New Year Gala will welcome everyone to the Empire State Plaza on Sunday, February 11. Qin herself is preparing to be in the festivities.

“Everybody likes to be recognized. I think it’s really important for everybody to know that there are other types of celebrations rather than Christmas and Thanksgiving that are fun to everybody.”

The Yan Liu Qing Art Exhibition will be hosted at the Chinese Community Center from Friday, February 2 at 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, February 4 at 6:00 p.m. in Latham. More information on the event and tickets can be found on the Center’s website.