Creative Kids Workshops: China

Festival visitors will learn about the history of Chinese calligraphy - one of the highest forms of Chinese art - and the hand painted scroll, which is one example of how art was used to communicate in ancient China. The tent activity consists of two parts. You will first paint Chinese symbols and characters derived from Chinese poems and Chinese Zodiac animals. You will finish the craft by assembling a simple scroll.

The history of Chinese Calligraphy (Chinese: 中国书法) is as long as that of China itself. Calligraphy is one of the highest forms of Chinese art. The word "calligraphy" is derived from a Greek word meaning beautiful writing. Unlike Western cultures, Chinese calligraphy is valued as "high art" in Asian cultures.

Just as there are masters of painting or martial arts, there were calligraphy masters whose works were highly esteemed by the emperors in different Chinese dynasties. Throughout the history of China, calligraphy has been practiced by national leaders, scholars, and people in all walks of life. Chinese calligraphy is not only a beautiful art, its practice is also an effective way to enjoy healthy life and longevity. Many research reports in Asia have rated practicing Chinese calligraphy as the number one activity for longevity among other twenty activities or so.

The Hand Painted Scroll (Chinese: 手画纸卷) is one example of how art was used to communicate in ancient China. Silk was usually used to make scrolls until the invention of paper, traditionally thought to have been invented in China in the first century A.D. Silk is not very absorbent, which led to the practice of slow and deliberate application of paint and ink. Early paper was made from a variety of substances such as rice straw, bark, reeds, bamboo, etc. These early papers were more absorbent and led to more spontaneously created paintings. Most modern wall scrolls are painted on Xuan paper, also known as rice paper. A wooden dowel is attached to the bottom of the scroll to prevent it from rolling up, and a thin piece of wood with a cord is placed at the top to hang the scroll from.