Exciting things are happening at the Confucius Institute at Mason!
The Confucius Institute at Mason organizes and sponsors a variety of events on campus and in the community highlighting Chinese culture, artists, and performers. Activities have included performances by acrobats and musicians from China and lectures by renown scholars on Confucian philosophy, Chinese calligraphy, historical reflections, and current affairs.
View events from: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
Chinese Painting Workshop
Fridays 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Every Friday for 5 weeks, Confucius Institute at Mason will open an Chinese Painting Workshop at Confucius Institute Reading Room. Each day a different topic will be discussed and painted. Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as guóhuà, meaning “native painting”. Traditional painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy and is done with a brush dipped in black ink or colored pigments. Everyone is welcome to come and experience it.
May 5: Panda and Bamboo
May 12: Lotus Flower
May 19: Shrimp
May 26: Fruit
June 2: Peonies
Chinese Medicine Workshop
Thursday 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
April 27, 2017
Please join us this Thursday for a workshop lead by a teacher from the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine University. The topic we will be discussing on Thursday will be perception of health care in Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine has more than 2,000 years of history, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massages, exercise and dietary therapy. It is believed to hold the key to achieving a long and healthy life.
MADE in CHINA
Wednesday 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
April 5th, 2017
Check out MADE IN CHINA on Wednesday, April 5th from 12-2pm where we explore Chinese culture with some arts and crafts and by watching a lighthearted film! Open and welcome to everyone of all backgrounds interested in learning about China. It’s a drop-in event, stay for a few minutes or stay for the entirety of the film. A short discussion will follow the film, relating your own personal experiences to trying new things. Popcorn and Chinese snacks will be provided.
Chinese Study Group
Mondays 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Feb. 13 – Apr. 24, 2017
Need help with your Chinese homework? Want to learn how to say simple Chinese phrases, Chinese characters or learn about Chinese culture? Come to the Chinese Study Group at the Confucius Institute at Mason!
Our teachers from Beijing Language and Culture University are eager to help you learn more about China. Bring your lunch and meet them at our Reading Room in Room 129, East Building, Mason Fairfax campus from 2:00pm – 3:30pm on Mondays for free tutoring.
Chinese Language Club
Wednesdays 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Feb. 15 – Apr. 26, 2017
Join our Chinese Language Club activities to meet other people interested in Chinese culture. Meetings are held at the Confucius Institute at Mason Reading Room every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00pm – 3:30pm (except for Spring Break week). Come learn about Chinese culture through free hands-on activities while practicing your spoken Chinese!
Study, Play, Talk and Learn – all are welcome!
Hands on Chinese Crafts
Fridays 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Feb. 17 – Apr. 28, 2017
Are you interested to learn more about Chinese culture? Then come to one of our Hands on Chinese Crafts sessions held every week at the Confucius Institute at Mason’s Reading Room from 12:00pm – 1:30pm on Fridays. Seating is limited at this free event so be sure to arrive early.
Make your own Chinese craft to take home while having fun learning about Chinese culture.
Feb 17 Sealing Carving
Feb 24 Red Envelopes
Mar 3 Chinese Opera Masks
Mar 10 Chinese Bookmarks
Mar 24 Folded Fans
Mar 31 Xiu Qiu – Ornamental Spheres
Apr 7 Accordion Books
Apr 14 Chinese Holiday Cards
Apr 21 Chinese Cup Dragon
Apr 28 Painting Chinese Fans
Advanced Chinese Reading Club
Alternating Thursdays 2:00 – 3:30pm
Feb. 2 – May 4, 2017
Are you interested to read contemporary Chinese short stories and literary works to discuss with others? Then come join our Advanced Chinese Reading Club where you can improve your spoken Chinese in a relaxed atmosphere while discussion contemporary Chinese fiction. Discussions are facilitated by a Chinese literature professor from Beijing Language and Culture University and there are no membership fees or dues required. Contact us for more information.
Feb. 2 刘震云：我不是潘金莲（一）
Feb. 16 刘震云：我不是潘金莲（二）
Mar. 2 刘震云：温故一九四二（一）2.5万字
Mar. 23 刘震云：温故一九四二（二）
Apr. 6 莫言：蛙（一）4万字
Apr. 20 莫言：蛙（二）
May 4 郝景芳：折叠北京 2.1万
China In My Eyes Photo Exhibition
Northern Virginia Community College
Alexandria Campus Library Library
Jan. 19 – Mar. 6
To celebrate the Year of the Rooster, the Confucius Institute at Mason takes great pride in presenting the China In My Eyes photography exhibit at the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Alexandria campus library. This non-juried exhibit, featuring over 60 photos of daily life in China taken by more than 30 amateur photographers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, serves as a window into the world of China today. A variety of other Chinese artifacts and photographed posters will also be on display for participants to learn more about China. The exhibit will be on view through March 6, 2017.
The genesis for the China In My Eyes photography exhibition was the desire to expand understanding about China. First exhibited in 2013 at George Mason University, the exhibit has also been showcased at Northern Virginia Community College Annandale campus and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The exhibit offers a window into the world of China today, encouraging viewers to explore, consider and imagine.
Chinese tea ceremony at opening receptionAn opening reception was held on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 4:30 – 6:30pm at the library at the NOVA Alexandria campus library. Over 80 people attended the reception and five of the photographers offered brief remarks about their personal perspectives about their images of China. A traditional Chinese tea was served along with Chinese food and snacks sponsored by NOVA, Alexandria Library Foundation and Confucius Institute at Mason. Details and photos of the reception can be found on the NOVA Alexandria library blog.
- China In My Eyes Photography Exhibition flyer
- China In My Eyes Opening Reception flyer
- NOVA Alexandria Campus Library website
Gallery Hours:
Mon – Thu: 8:30am – 9:00pm
Fri: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Sat: 12:00 – 4:00pm
Sun: Closed
NOVA Alexandria Campus – Library:
Bisdorf Building (AA), Room 232
5000 Dawes Ave Alexandria, VA 22311
ChinaFest! Year of the Fire Rooster
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Saturday, Feb. 11
10:00am – 5:00pm
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster by bringing the whole family out to explore Chinese art and culture at ChinaFest! at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA. Enjoy artist demonstrations and performances, including a lion dance, Chinese martial arts and traditional and modern Chinese dance. Learn about traditional Chinese arts by creating your own decorative fan, lantern and calligraphy scroll. Get moving with kung fu or get your face painted with your favorite Chinese zodiac animal. The Confucius Institute at Mason teachers will be teaching Chinese paper cutting and providing rooster masks for children to color and wear home so don’t miss this opportunity for fun!
Chinese New Year Celebration
Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Museum
Sunday, Feb. 5
11:00am – 5:00pm
Ring in the Year of the Rooster with art!
The Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Museum will host the third annual Chinese New Year celebration featuring free attractions for all ages highlighting contemporary performers and artists from China including Beijing Opera performed by students from the Beijing Opera Art’s College, Chinese acrobatic performances, calligraphy demonstrations, paper cutting and sugar painting and dough figurines. Teachers from Confucius Institute at Mason will be providing Chinese New Year card crafts and Year of the Rooster mask-making hands-on activities.
Chinese New Year Family Day
Kennedy Center
Saturday, February 4
10:30am – 4:00pm
Bring your entire family to the Kennedy Center for a fun-filled day of activities related to Chinese New Year on Saturday, Feb. 4. The “Chinese New Year Family Day” program is free and will include activities and entertainment for people of all ages. Learn the arts of paper cutting, calligraphy, sugar sculpture, bottle painting, and “bristle dolls,” and watch Peking opera makeup and enjoy performances by Beijing acrobats, musicians, and more. Look for our teachers from the Confucius Institute at Mason who will be offering hands-on art projects to create Year of the Rooster masks and Chinese new year cards! This free event will be held on the Roof Terrace.
Chinese New Year Festival
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Saturday, Jan. 28
11:30am – 3:00pm
Please come to the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) as it opens its doors to the Chinatown and DC community for the 2017 Lunar New Year to celebrate the Year of the Rooster. The SAAM Chinese New Year Festival will include activities such as traditional paper cutting, bristle dolls and dough sculpting, and will features display of other Chinese arts, including paintings inside snuff bottles created by Beijing folk artists. Art activities will include making red paper lanterns, calligraphy, Year of the Rooster-theme crafts and coloring sheets. Confucius Institute at Mason teachers will be leading hands-on activities making rooster masks and New Year cards. There will also be demonstrations of Peking opera, Chinese acrobats and traditional music. Please come join the fun!
2017 Chinese Spring Festival Celebration
Wednesday 2:00 to 4:00pm
January 25, 2017
Join us as we celebrate the Chinese Spring festival with games, stories and songs. We will also be making dumplings and teaching participants how to make this traditional celebratory treat. Please RSVP to cimason@gmu.edu to reserve your place at this free cultural event!
Click here for a link to the Chinese Spring Festival flyer