SAINT LOUIS, MO.- To complement the Saint Louis Art Museum's featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, the institution announces a variety of classes, weekend workshops, a seminar and other programming related to the exhibition.

The exhibition, which is the first of its kind to focus on the art from China's Ming dynasty (1368–1644), was curated at the Saint Louis Art Museum by Philip Hu, associate curator of Asian art at the Museum. Power and Glory will be on view in the Museum's Main Exhibition Galleries through May 17, 2009.

Related programming for Power and Glory is listed below:

March Family Sundays "Majestic Ming"
When: Each Sunday in March from 1 pm–4 pm
Where: Sculpture Hall
Cost: Free

Inspired by the Museum's featured exhibition, Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, "Majestic Ming" will explore imperial art made from clay, gold, jade, lacquer and thread. Each week's art activity is planned so that all ages can have fun and create together. Every Sunday at 2:30 pm, a lively 30-minute tour will guide families through the Museum's collection and highlight pieces that inspired the art projects. The Museum will host "Ming Dynasty Family Weekend" on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29. This two-day festival celebrates the glory of the Chinese culture with featured classical Chinese music and dance, artist demonstrations, storytellers, art projects, treats and tours.

Ming Member Nights
When: Thursdays, March 19, April 23 and May 14, 2009
Where: Sculpture Hall
Cost: Free

The featured exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty will be open on three special evenings for Members only. Avoid the crowds and enjoy free docent tours and refreshments available for purchase. Regular Membership admits two to any Ming Member Night. For Family-level Members and above, children in the household under 18 are also welcome. Reservations are not required, but please bring your membership card for admittance. Not a member? Not a problem. To become a member call 655.5335, email members@slam.org or stop by the Museum.

Study Day
When: March 21, 2009 from 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Where: Auditorium
Cost: Free

The Ming dynasty is renowned for its refined aesthetic and exacting standards of perfection. To complement the exhibition, the Museum will present a full day of fascinating lectures presented by some of the foremost scholars of Chinese history and art. Lecturers include: Terese Tse Bartholomew, curator emeritus, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; Marsha Haufler, professor of art history, University of Kansas; Richard Vinograd, professor of art and art history, Stanford University; and Rosemary Scott, international academic director, Christie's, London.

Art After 5
Traditional Guzheng performed by Xiaoyu Yan
When: March 27, 2009 from 7 pm–8:30 pm
Where: Grigg Gallery
Cost: Free. Puck's offers drinks and light fare for purchase during each Art After 5 performance.

The guzheng is a traditional Chinese instrument that belongs to the zither family of musical instruments. Xiaoyu Yan, who was born in Shanghai and then immigrated to St. Louis with her family, began studying the guzheng at the age of four. She gave her first performance at the Saint Louis Art Museum in 2003 at the age of 14. Now a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Xiaoyu returns to the Museum to demonstrate the beauty of this ancient instrument.

Gallery Talk
Buddhism in the Ming Dynasty
When: April 2, 2009 at 11 am and April 3, 2009 at 6 pm
Where: Museum's Main Exhibition Galleries
Cost: Free. Limited to 20 attendees.

Robert Hegel, professor of Chinese and Liselotte Dieckmann professor of comparative literature at Washington University, will lead a special Gallery Talk through the Museum's featured exhibition, Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty.

Seminar
History, Culture, and Art of the Ming Dynasty
When: April 2–April 30, 2009 from 10:30 am–12 pm
(Includes four sessions.) Note: no class April 9
Where: Friends Room
Cost: $80 ($50 Members)

The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three hundred years. This class will invite participants to take a closer look at the historical, religious and cultural contexts that contributed to the production of such enduring works of art. Visits to the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty will allow participants to connect concepts with art on display.

Weekend Workshop
Chinese Brush Painting: The Four Seasons
When: April 4, 2009 from 10 am–4 pm and April 5, 2009 12 pm–4 pm
Where: Friends Room
Cost: $80 ($50 Members)

Join us for this introduction to the classical art of Chinese brush painting. Students will learn how to handle a brush, paper and ink to create traditional images. The class will include a visit to the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty. No experience is necessary and all materials are provided. The weekend workshop is instructed by DongFeng Li, painter and assistant professor of art at Morehead State University, Lexington, Kentucky.

A Day of Chinese Culture
When: April 18, 2009 from 10 am–4 pm
Where: Museum's Main Exhibition Galleries and Missouri Botanical Garden
Cost: $80 ($60 Members). Lunch is included.

Join us for an extraordinary day of Chinese culture. The day begins with unique insights from the Associate Curator of Asian Art at the Museum, Philip Hu, on the exhibition Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty. The group will then travel by bus to lunch before proceeding to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a viewing of The Margret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. Museum and Garden Members enjoy the same member discount.

Ming Painting with Ink and Bamboo Brushes
When: May 2, 2009 for children 4- to 10-years-old. May 9, 2009 for children 3- to 4-years-old. (Please note class times for different age groups.)
Where: Classrooms
Cost: $10 ($8 Members). Pre-registration is required.

Class on May 9 for 3- to 4-year-olds with an adult will be held from 10:30 am–11:30 pm. The May 2 class for 4- to 6-year-olds with an adult will be held from 10:30 am–12:30 pm; and for 7- to 10-year-olds with an adult will be held from 1 pm–2:30 pm.