Lunar New Year Community Day

Celebrating the Norton’s Chinese Art Collection

Bring family and friends to celebrate the Lunar New Year, beginning at noon with dragon and lion dances presented by Lee Koon Hung Kung Fu, and featuring performances by Min Xiao-Fen, master of the pipa, tours of the Chinese collection, art activities more. The day concludes with a lecture by Dessa Goddard, Senior Specialist, Chinese Art, Bonhams, and a fireworks display over the Intracoastal Waterway at 7 pm.

Visit norton.org for a full schedule beginning January 1, 2023.

This is a FREE program.

This program was made possible by the generosity of John and Heidi Niblack, with additional support provided by The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Schedule of Events

  • Dragon and Lion Dances

    Dragon and Lion Dances featuring Lee Koon Hung Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Association

    Goergen Garden

    12pm
  • Lunar New Year Photo Backdrop

    Great Hall

    12-7pm
  • Chinese Collection / Lunar New Year Animals Exploration

    Begin in the Great Hall; proceed to the galleries to find legendary creatures hiding in plain sight!

    12-6:30pm
  • Art Activity- Rabbit Bookmark

    Great Hall

    12pm-6:30am
  • Art Activity / Make a Wish

    East Garden

    12pm
  • Chinese Lantern-Making Activity

    Garden

    12:30-4pm
  • Musical Introduction to the Pipa for Families

    Stiller Auditorium (doors open at 12:45pm)

    1pm
  • Spotlight Talks

    Spotlight Talks (15 minutes each) / Lantern Festival Painting or Tomb Sculptures (mingqi) of Horses

    1:30 pm and 2 pm | The Lantern Festival Spotlight Talk

    Niblack Gallery, ground floor

    1:30 pm and 2 pm Horses Spotlight Talk

    Shapiro Gallery, second floor

    1:30-2pm
  • Art Activity / Fu Calligraphy

    2nd Floor, Carroll Classroom

    2-6pm
  • Tour / Highlights of the Museum Collection

    Meet in the Great Hall

    2:30-3:30pm
  • Storytime / Tales of the New Year

    Tales of the New Year featuring “Storytainer” Monica Ladd. 

    Garden

    3-4pm
  • Spotlight Talks

    Spotlight Talks (15 minutes each) / The Lantern Festival Painting or Animals of the Zodiac

    3 and 3:30 pm | The Lantern Festival Spotlight Talk

    Niblack Gallery, ground floor

    3 and 3:30 pm | Lunar New Year Animals Spotlight Talk

    Meyer Gallery, second floor

    3-3:30pm
  • Concert / Flying Flowers Touching the Green Grass

    Few artists have done more to honor and reinvent the 2000-year history of the pipa than soloist, vocalist, and composer Min Xiao-Fen. Classically trained in her native China, Ms. Min was an in-demand interpreter of traditional music before relocating to the United States. She performs traditional music for pipa as part of the Lunar New Year celebration.  

    Stiller Auditorium.  

    Space is limited, and free tickets are available at the Reception Desk starting at 2 pm.

    3am-4pm
  • Spotlight Talks

    Spotlight Talks (15 minutes each) / Lantern Festival or Dragon Roof Ridge Fascia Panels

    4 and 4:30 pm | The Lantern Festival Spotlight Talk

    Niblack Gallery, ground floor

    4 and 4:30 pm | Dragon Roof Ridge Fascia Panels Spotlight Talk

    Shapiro Gallery, 2nd floor

    4-4:30pm
  • Storytime / Tales of the New Year

    Featuring “Storytainer” Monica Ladd.

    5pm
  • Lecture: Before the Fireworks: Visual Representations of Public and Private Celebrations in Chinese Art

    From depictions of yearly festivals to literary gatherings, Dessa Goddard, Vice President, US Head, Asian Art Group, Senior Specialist, Chinese Art, Bonhams, will explore the rich repository of images found in classical and modern Chinese paintings and related arts, and the historical and cultural values they reflect.  Stiller Auditorium

    Space is limited, and free tickets are available at the Reception Desk starting at 5pm.

    6-6:45pm
  • Fireworks Display

    Fireworks will be visible from the Garden and east side of Museum facing Olive Avenue.

    7pm