Exhibition photo by Jia Yu Chuan.

A group exhibition of contemporary photography from The People’s Republic of China, curated by Gu Zheng and A. D. Coleman, will run from August 2-25, 2011 in the Katherine E. Nash Gallery of the Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota, 405 – 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis. The Opening Reception will be held Thur., Aug. 11, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tues. through Sat. All events at the Regis Center for Art are free and open to the public.

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Blogging. Texting. Smart Phones. Gaming. Social Networks. YouTube. More than just diversions for America’s kids, these technologies are becoming intrinsic to how they live…and learn.

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International artist Flo Li brings a synthesis of mind, spirit, mathematics and fractal imagery to Seidl Studios in West St. Paul. Along with the prints her book “Microscopic Expressions of Spirituality” is also available, including a limited 1,000 signed and dated copies. It consists of 50 images.

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In honor of President Hu’s State Visit, President Obama presented the Chinese leader with a painting created by the Zhou Brothers. Based in President Obama’s hometown of Chicago, Illinois, DaHuang and Shan Zuo Zhou are distinguished Chinese American contemporary artists known for their unique collaborative work process. Their thinking, aesthetic and creativity are a symbiosis of Eastern and Western philosophy.

It’s an original multi-textural oil painting on canvas measuring 86 inches wide and 68 inches high – 8 and 6 are lucky numbers that coincide with China’s country code 86. From the Great Wall of China to the portraits of the eight U.S. Presidents since President Nixon’s historic trip to China in 1972, the painting is replete with imagery and motifs that represent 5,000 years of Chinese culture and the friendship that our two countries have shared and will continue on together into the future.

The Zhou Brothers were on hand Tuesday night for the gift exchange between the two Presidents. With White House and State Department staff huddled around, the Zhou brothers explained the significance of the painting, what the gift symbolizes, and their passion for and love of America.

Posted by Kalpen Modi, Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement, The White House.

From the creators of Hmonglish Musical comes a hilarious original play about a dysfunctional, lovable, honest family. A performance of “Family Portrait: Love and Saving Face” will be held Saturday, December 18, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis.

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Chinese calligraphy artists Manzong He and College of Visual Arts President Ann Ledy in front of He’s cursive script interpretations Tung Dynasty poet Bai Gau Yi, which he donated to the CVA gallery.

By TOM LAVENTURE

AAP staff writer

ST. PAUL (July 8, 2010) – The gallery of the College of Visual Arts last month held a special exhibition from Saint Paul’s Sister City Changsha, China, including some of China’s most renowned artists – all from Hunan Province.

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The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project of Minneapolis presents “The Art of Conflict: Identity in War and Displacement” opening July 29, 2010 at the Tarnish and Gold Gallery, 1511 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis. The visual art exhibit will feature works about violence and displacement from Iraqi and American artists. The opening event, which runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., will include music, refreshments and an opportunity to meet the featured artists in the gallery where 30 pieces of original work will run through August 28.

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The National Portrait Gallery Museum will unveil a portrait of Secretary Norman Y. Mineta later this month, contributed by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program.

Washington, D.C. – Former Transportation and Commerce Secretary Norman Y. Mineta will be recognized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program with the installation of his portrait in a private ceremony at the Portrait Gallery.

The portrait, by artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, will become part of the museum’s permanent-collection exhibition, “New Arrivals” July 27. The oil-on-canvas painting has been offered as a gift to the Portrait Gallery from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program.

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The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project announces the opening of The Art of Conflict: Identity in War and Displacement on July 29, 2010 at the Tarnish and Gold Gallery, 1511 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis. The IARP seeks to promote reconciliation between the people of the United States and Iraq in response to the devastation affecting Iraqi families, society, and culture. It recognizes the common humanity of the people of Iraq and the people of the United States.

The visual art exhibit will feature works about violence and displacement from Iraqi and American artists. The opening event, which runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., will include music, refreshments and an opportunity to meet the featured artists.  The gallery will host the artists’ 30 pieces of original work until August 28.

“A process of reconciliation between two groups of people must involve honest, creative dialogue about the past and its effects on the present,” said Tricia Khutoretsky, curator.

“The Art of Conflict will open that dialogue and engage Minnesotans in experiencing the impact of war and displacement through art,” she added. “Foreign conflicts can often seem far away, yet they are a continuing reality for many Minnesotans.”

Minnesota is home to around 90,000 refugees and 400,000 veterans. The Art of Conflict will provide an opportunity for these Minnesotans, and for all Minnesotans, to reflect on the human costs of war from both American and Iraqi perspectives.

The show’s programming will also include: a film screening of The Unreturned, an award-winning documentary about five Iraqi refugee families produced by Nathan Fisher, a Minnesota native; talks by veterans, refugee groups, and others with experience of war and displacement; an arts therapy group for mental health professionals; letter-writing to Iraqis; and special tours for school groups.

A digital gallery of the artists’ work will be available on the IARP website, http://reconciliationproject.org.

Shades of Yellow, a non-profit organization located in St Paul, MN that serves the Hmong LGBTQ community for Social Justice, will showcase its talent from the community and allies at the Twin Cities Pride Festival, June 26-27, 2010 at Loring Park, 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

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