As part of Brigham Young University's Imperial Tombs of China experience, children will be able to learn how to weave, make ornaments and dance - all adding to their experience of seeing the exhibition at the Museum of Art.
Adults can listen to free lectures from Asian specialists as part of the same exhibition. And all can visit the museum's study center to see exhibits on jade carving, silk weaving and the Chinese New Year.These activities have been designed to increase understanding about the most comprehensive exhibition of royal artifacts ever to leave mainland China.
A series of four Saturday workshops will introduce children to recreation and culture in China. It is called Tan Suo, or Youth Discover Youth, and will begin Dec. 2 with "Dragon Boats." Young people will learn how to weave and will make a holiday ornament.
On Jan. 6, the activity will be called "Flying to Heaven," which will include Chinese dancing. Storytelling and puppets will be part of the "Far Eastern Folklore" class on Feb. 3, and instruments and music will be introduced in "Yellow Bells" on March 2.
Two sessions will be available each Saturday. Children ages 5 to 11 will meet from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and youths ages 12 to 15 will participate from 2 to 3 p.m.
"Early registration is encouraged because class size is limited," says Ellen Powley, who coordinates volunteers and activities at the museum. Each event will be $3.50 or $2 for members of the Museum of Art. For information, call the museum at (801) 378-ARTS.
A series of free lectures sponsored by the Museum of Art and Division of Continuing Education will give further information about the world's oldest continuous civilization. They will begin Feb. 9 and continue through March 7 in 2254 Harman Conference Center. All lectures will be on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
They will open with "China's Gift to the West" by BYU emeritus history professor Paul Hyer. Other lectures will include "Discordant Notes on the Great Wall," "Theophanies, Sacred Texts and Secret Techniques of Taoism," "Chinese vs. Barbarians: Nomads Along the Chinese Border," "Dragon Vapors: A Look at Chinese Geomancy," "Music as Philosophy in China," "Death and Immortality in Chinese Literature," "Christianity from 1600 to 1650 in China," "Christian Missions in Late Imperial China," "The Xizo-shuo Tradition and Modern Entertainment" and "Worlds of Bronze and Bamboo."
In addition to BYU professors, Timony Wang, who directs the Center for Asian Studies at Arizona State University, and Grant Hardy of the University of North Carolina at Ashville will be featured speakers.