COLUMBIA, SC.- The Columbia Museum of Art celebrated the Chinese New Year Saturday, January 24 in grand style with 405 visitors of all ages. This Family Fun Day event was the only public Chinese New Year celebration in Columbia and was presented in partnership with the Columbia Chinese Association and the University of South Carolina’s Confucius Institute.

Visitors were treated to traditional dragon and lion dances throughout the lobby, opera style face painting, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, musical performances featuring the Erhu (a traditional Chinese two-stringed fiddle), and had the opportunity to learn the art of Chinese paper cutting, and authentic Chinese food added to the celebratory atmosphere of the event.

“The Columbia Museum of Art was thrilled to be able to host this rich celebration of Chinese culture welcoming the year of the Ox. The Columbia Chinese Association and the Confucius Institute were instrumental in the success of this Chinese New Year celebration. We look forward to this becoming an annual event for Columbia,” director of education, Ali Borchardt, said.