Legends of the Silk Road at Cos Cob Library

Chinese Language School of Connecticut Presents Children’s Chinese Artwork at Cos Cob Library

--Cos Cob Library graciously hosts students’ art work as a special display in their community room through September 30.--

Greenwich, CT, September 17, 2011– The Cos Cob Library is host to a new display of children’s Chinese artwork, which is being exhibited in their Community Room through September 30, 2011, sponsored by the Chinese Language School of Connecticut. (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the non-profit, Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations.

This year’s theme is “Inventions from the Middle Kingdom,” based on Simon Winchester’s book, “The Man Who Loved China.” The first day of the show coincided with the Library's annual Open House and book fair this past Saturday, September 10th. On display is a sampling of students’ work from kindergarten through sixth grade. Mr. Richard Campbell, the ex-president of the Cos Cob Library Association who facilitated the show was on hand to assist in hanging of the large panels and assorted canvases.

CLSC VP Art & Culture, Katy Chen Myers explained, “We are so grateful for the Cos Cob library’s support of our children’s art and culture programs. CLSC’s curriculum integrates Chinese history, art and culture, and includes hands-on learning projects for students via weekly workshops, so each student can learn experientially, through art. The Greenwich community is very fortunate to have the Cos Cob library’s resources available to children, teens, and families.”

Ms. Myers continued, “Each year, teachers at CLSC prepare an in-depth art and culture study for students of all levels. This past year's theme was the study of the Silk Road during the Tang and Yuan Dynasties, two of the major trading periods of the Silk Road in Chinese history. Colorful images of the Eight Immortals, plum blossoms, landscapes of the Steppes, silk worms on mulberry trees and caravans of camels and mules laden with treasures cover the walls in the library's community room, giving the viewer a glimpse of the trade along the fabled Silk Road during the 9th and 13th centuries. Students at CLSC used mediums such as acrylic paint, foam, ink, paper, fabric and assorted materials to create the artwork on display while learning about geography, trade, art, politics, along with China's contributions to the world during this important period of history. Visitors can view the artwork during regular Library hours.

The non-profit, fully accredited Chinese Language School of Connecticut (CLSC) (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org) teaches Mandarin Chinese as a second language to children and adults in their weekday and weekend classes, private and small group tutoring, iVuChinese online distance learning, Before and After School programs, cultural workshops, summer classes, and AP Prep sessions. CLSC is the only fully-accredited supplemental Chinese language program in the U.S. which uses U.S. teaching methods in order to engage children in learning Chinese.

For information on the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org. For interesting articles on Chinese language learning and Chinese culture, please visit http://GreenTeaPop.blogspot.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/ChineseLanguageSchoolofConnecticut.

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Join Us at Greenwich's Enchanted Forest!

Please visit our table at this year's The Enchanted Forest event,, sponsored by the Greenwich Junior League, at the Hyatt Old Greenwich.

Crafts, activities for children, holiday boutique, it's a great way to welcome in the holiday season!

For more info: http://www.jlgreenwich.org/?nd=tef09

Chinese Language School of Connecticut Offers Expanded Art and Culture Programs

Students Participate in Chinese Art and Culture Programs
-- Redding-based Artist Introduces Children to Chinese-Themed Mixed-Media Art --

“VP Art & Culture Katy Chen Myers is an energetic, true professional, dedicated to exploring Chinese history and culture with students via art, and we are all so lucky to have her,” noted CLSC Principal, Daisy Chen Laone.

Riverside, CT, July 1, 2010 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit, Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, is pleased to announce expansion of their Art and Culture programs for academic year 2010 - 2011.

During the Art and Culture section of CLSC’s classes this year, VP Art & Culture Katy Chen Myers, of Redding, CT, developed and ran segments whereby students studied traditions and celebrations focused on Chinese folktales and festivals such as the Moon festival. Handcrafted lanterns have been designed by CLSC students for an art shows in Westport and Greenwich this fall and winter.

Ms. Myers explained, Children love to cook, and eat, and are usually very interested in what others’ meals are like, as well. In our segment “The Chinese Diet” we studied agricultural traditions of northern and southern China, culminating with a look at traditional Chinese foods, and the banquet foods of the Qing Dynasty.

China has a tradition of travelling performers creating shadow puppet theaters during the Ming Dynasty, and up to the modern era. Our younger students were able to design their own shadow puppets as they learned about these Chinese entertainment traditions. We created our own, authentic traveling Chinese Shadow Puppet theater, probably the only one in the tri-state area, and students assisted in recent puppet performances.”

Ms. Myers continued, “One of our goals is to introduce Chinese as a second language to students while allowing them to explore Chinese culture via art in age appropriate ways. Our older students’ main focus centered on answering the question: Who am I? by creating a mixed-media project which involved students telling their own story by creating a biography in Chinese characters, and by creating self portraits using the graphic novel “American Born Chinese by Gene Yang as their inspiration.

Another project for this upcoming school year is the Chinese Cherry & plum blossom quilt which will also be readied for exhibit in upcoming shows.

One of the highlights of this past year was that in addition to showcasing work at various children’s venues, art created by CLSC students was accepted into a professional artist exhibit at Weston Art’s Center in Weston CT. The seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, a series of four paintings by students from CLSC levels 3-8, was displayed alongside works by professional illustrators, photographers and print makers from all over the US.

We are currently working with various venues to plan more exhibits as professionals, in New Canaan, Ridgefield and New York City for the 2010-2011 academic year. The main theme for CLSC’s art and culture segments next year will be the Silk Road. Many exciting projects are currently being planned for all levels with the goal being exhibition in various schools and libraries in Fairfield County.

I’m so pleased to be able to share my passion for art, and Chinese culture, with students of all ages, via CLSC’s programs. ”

For information on CLSC’s weekend or weekday language classes, summer programs, private tutoring, corporate services, or any of their other programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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Free Demo Art Classes and April Art with Tara Hu

Join CLSC as we explore creating Chinese art in two free demo classes on Sunday March 21 and March 28. Spaces are limited; please make a reservation.

April art workshops with Ms. Hu will be held at the Greenwich Family Y in Greenwich, CT. To register please contact info@ChineseLanguageSchool.of

Chinese New Year Festival!

The Chinese Language School of Connecticut will be holding its 8th Annual Chinese New Year Festival on Sunday, February 7, 2010, 12-4pm, at the Stamford Plaza Hotel and Conference Center.

Please join us and help us ring in the Year of the Tiger!

For more info please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

Chinese Winter Workshops!

Why not explore Chinese culture during winter recess at a class run by the Chinese Language School of Connecticut?

YMCA Winter Break WorkshopsDates: February 16, 17, & 18 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Time: 10:30-12:30 for K-2
1:30-3:30 for G3-6
Location: Greenwich Family YMCA
Fee: $50 per class. Supplies and Material included.

Please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org and click on How to Register on the left hand nav bar for registration form, thank you!


February 16: Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting
Introduction of Chinese four treasures, teach basic Calligraphy techniques and make ink painting about bamboo and flowers.

Deadline to Registration must be postmarked by February 10 in order to register.



February 17: Paper Folding & Origami projects for kids
Origami is a fascinating and creative craft for kids. All children enjoy creating various objects out of paper. Not only will children get a real sense of satisfaction out of making these fun origami models, but they will be getting practice at following instructions, increasing their manual dexterity, and producing a fun and decorative end-product.

Deadline to Registration must be postmarked by February 10 in order to register.



February 18: Children and Pet puppets
Decorate oversized puppet characters from Chinese Miao fairytale: “The peacock’s Tail”

Deadline to Registration must be postmarked by February 10 in order to register.

Chinese Workshops Available for Schools

Many schools, teen centers, and community centers are organizing After School Chinese programs for their students and members.


Interactive, age appropriate Chinese programs can help inspire learning and transition middle school students to high school Chinese classes.

For more information on CLSC private tutoring, corporate program, Elementary and Middle School workshops, or other programs please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or contact them at info@chineselanguageschool.org.

Chinese Language School of Connecticut Chopstix Preschool Chinese Classes at the Greenwich Library



--School to introduce youngest children to Chinese language and culture.--





Photo Caption: Children learn Chinese in a recent CLSC Chopstix class.



RIVERSIDE, September 1, 2009– The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org) will be offering a Chopstix preschool Chinese demo class at the Greenwich Library, on Friday, September 18, at 10:30 to 11:15am in the Children’s Constellation room of the library.

Greenwich Library's Children's Librarian Alice Sherwood said, “We're very pleased to offer these engaging programs for young children at the library, as a service to the Greenwich community."

CLSC Principal Daisy Chen Laone, explained, “We’d like to offer complementary Chopstix classes to the community, to introduce more children to learning Mandarin Chinese.”

“It’s such an ancient, rich language, and the children enjoy the stories, songs, and puppets we use in our preschool classes, in order to make Chinese come alive for them!”

Regular CLSC classes are held Sundays in Riverside, and weekdays at the Greenwich Family Y on East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich.

To attend the free class, please come by the library 10 minutes before class is scheduled to start, as class size is limited.



For information on the Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s language programs for children or adults, their Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.


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CLSC Chinese Art and Culture

Thanks to CLSC VP Art & Culture Katy Chen Myers for planning a full slate of special projects for our students this year.

Art & Culture Levels 1 & 2

· Animal PuppetsDecorate Oversized Puppet Characters from

Chinese/Miao fairytale: “The Peacock’s Tail
· Book Illustration

For a Story written by Students based on

Shopping for objects from ancient China.

· Patterns & Designs
Basic designs, patterns and symbols of the

Ming & Qing periods



· Bowls and Chopsticks

Food and chopstick 3D display of what we

Eat at home with our families

· Two Thousand Ships
Collage of the Ming Ships that sailed around

the world in the 1600s which carried over

twenty eight thousand men.



CLSC Art & Culture: Levels 3 & 4




· Children & Pet Puppets
Decorate “Self Portrait” or “Pet” puppets to

Dance to Chinese music.

· Family Cookbook
Students create illustrations for the first

CLSC cookbook

· Heroes of the Ming
Students help paint two murals of famous

Heroes from the Ming dynasty

· Two Thousand Ships
Illustrations of the goods traded with the

merchants of Europe during the world

voyage: Chinese innovations

· Active Qigong The Crane, the bear and the basic rock;

Qigong as performance art




CLSC Art & Culture: Levels 5& 6






· The Victors:

Portraits of the Qing & the eight banners; Nurhaci & his decedents: The Manchu

Costumes for men & women

· Temples of worship

Two backdrops depicting the interior of a

Small temple from the 1400s

· Jade & Earth
Recreate ornamental objects and vessels in

miniature for a household



· Shadow Puppets The Man & the Rabbit; a Szechuan folktale

Students create shadow box & puppets



· Qigong: Eight Brocades

Eight exercise movements, performance to

music; Daoist teachings to relax the mind





CLSC Art & Culture: Levels 7-9

· The Dancing Immortals

Puppet portrait: Bamboo & paper

Part of the “Peacock’s Tail” and Magic Flute

Story using masks & puppets



· The Manchu
Portraits depicting the most famous leaders of the Qing



· The Journey Map for the teen & tween using books:

“Monkey” & “American Born Chinese”



· The Book of Inventions 2500 years science & innovations based on

works of Joseph Needham: illustrations &

collage on canvas



· The CLSC photo bookStudents take photos of Asian influences

they see in everyday life to incorporate in to

large mix-media installation





Upcoming CLSC Events



October: Parent Forum: Dr. Jessica Offir

“Parenting: Setting Boundaries for your child”





November: The 2nd Annual CLSC Baking contest

This years’ theme: Decorative arts of China





December: Parent Forum: Patricia Lord

“Self Image for Girls: What moms need to

To Know”





January: Lantern Painting and Art Show





February: Cooking Demo; Steamed buns







CLSC

Wheat & Rice Cooking Workshops





Steam buns with assorted fillings



Fried rice, home style



Glutinous rice with chicken & wine



Dumplings with veggies, shrimp or chicken





Join us to learn how to cook simple and nutritious

home style comfort foods which are easy to

prepare. Class will be held at a private home in

Greenwich. B.Y.O.R.P*



* Bring your own rolling pins

Children's Chinese Art Exhibit

New Canaan Library Welcomes Chinese Language School of Connecticut Art Exhibit

“It’s very gratifying to see how many students are inspired to learn Chinese through their interest in art and Chinese culture,” noted CLSC Board member and president, New Canaan resident Susan Serven.

Riverside, CT, June 20, 2009 – The Chinese Language School of Connecticut (www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org), the fully-accredited, non-profit Riverside, CT-based provider of Chinese language programs to students, schools and corporations, will be presenting an exhibit of children’s Chinese art at the New Canaan Library from June 25 through the end of July.

New Canaan Library Director Alice Knapp, explained, “We are very pleased to help promote global community awareness through this international exhibit. The Chinese Language School of Connecticut’s students and staff have created some wonderful pieces of art exploring what they’ve learned, and what Chinese culture means to them.”

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our students showing what they’ve learned, through art,” said CLSC president, New Canaan resident Susan Serven. “Creating art helps students integrate what they are learning, and makes it all so much more fun,” she continued.

CLSC VP Art and Culture, Redding resident Katy Chen Myers, explained, “the exhibits will include student-created artwork such as “The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove,” which is a Recreation of the third century Wei dynasty poets and writers as Taoist sages engaged in music and conversation; Traditional folk art of China and Taiwan made for the spring festivals and dragon boat races in honor of Chinese hero Qu Yuan; “Collage of the Ancients,” which are Early Chinese pictographs arranged in artful patterns; “Let a Hundred Kites Fly; Virtues Remembered: A tribute to the victims of the Cultural Revolution,” which is an installation of one hundred kites made by CLSC students stamped with Chinese characters representing virtues forgotten by the communist leaders during the Cultural Revolution; and “The Horses of the Tang Dynasty,” which is an installation of the pastel/abstract ponies arriving for inspection for the emperor,” she continued.

Explanations of each group will accompany the art.

For information on this exhibit or on CLSC weekend or weekday language programs for children or adults, Before– and After- School programs, special workshops, private tutoring or corporate language programs, please visit www.ChineseLanguageSchool.org or email them at info@ChineseLanguageSchool.org.

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