Family Time 1 – Art Explorers藝術探險, begins on 2026 Jan 11
This is a drop-off class for children ages 5–8 (not a parent-child activity). Children explore Chinese culture through stories and craft—each session begins with reading a Chinese themed children’s book, creating an art project, and learning how to write and say a Chinese character related to the class theme.
Read more and register here.
岑婷安 (Crystal Chen)
我一生熱愛動手創作，希望透過故事和手作工藝幫助孩子們認識中華文化！
我的手作旅程始於六歲，那時我用碎布和膠水為芭比娃娃設計服裝。如今，我將復古珠寶升級再造，創作出獨一無二的作品——但我心最喜歡的，仍是與孩子們分享創作的魔力。
作為第一代華裔美人，我在中文學校學習語言、文化，以及像中國結等傳統藝術13年。我會以講說故事與藝術創作結合，透過手作來傳遞文化。
我擁有康乃爾大學紡織與服裝設計學士學位，我的設計作品曾登上《康乃爾紀事報》、Olive Tjaden 藝術畫廊，甚至是大衛·萊特曼的網站。但最讓我感到驕傲的時刻，是與孩子們一起工作——我曾擔任一個課後班的主任，服務6至10歲的弱勢孩童。在那裡，我親眼見證了藝術建立起他們的自信與連結。
如果您正在為孩子尋找體驗豐富文化的家長，歡迎來參加一個專為5-8歲兒童設計的中國主題故事與手作世界。
我們每堂課會先讀一本書，接著創作由故事啟發的藝術作品，並學習書寫一個與主題相關的中文字。每一堂課都歡慶與探索中華文化。
課堂主題範例：
「我是金：慶祝讓我閃耀的特質」 我們將閱讀《我是金》，學習中文字「我」，並創作一個慶祝他們獨特與特別之處的金色自畫像。
「小小園丁：水芹與共同成長」 我們將閱讀榮獲凱迪克獎與紐伯瑞獎的《水芹》，學習中文詞彙「綠色」；我們會裝飾花盆並種植微型蔬菜讓孩子帶回家。孩子們在閱讀時也會有機會品嚐一些水芹。
「龍舟與勇士傳說」 我們將閱讀《龍年》，學習中文字「龍」；並會用雞蛋盒製作龍舟。
下面是記者關於這次活動的報導
- 波士頓菊子: GBCCA今年力推3課程. 父子同樂、藝術探險、有氧舞蹈
Crystal Chen 岑婷安
I’m a lifelong maker, passionate about helping kids learn about Chinese culture through stories and hands-on crafts!
My own crafting journey began at age six, designing outfits for my Barbies with scraps of fabric and glue. Today, I upcycle vintage jewelry into one-of-a-kind pieces—but my heart is in sharing the magic of making with children.
As a first-generation Chinese-American, I spent 13 years in Chinese school learning language, culture, and traditional arts like Chinese knotting. I bring this perspective into every class I lead, blending storytelling with art projects that teach culture through craft.
I hold a BS in Textiles and Apparel from Cornell University, and my design work has been featured in The Cornell Chronicle, Olive Tjaden Art Gallery, and even on David Letterman’s website. But my proudest moments come from working with kids—especially during my time as a program director for an after-school program serving underserved youth ages 6–10. There, I saw firsthand how art can build confidence and connection.
If you’re a parent or caregiver looking for a culturally rich experience for your child, I’d love to welcome you into a world of Chinese-themed stories and crafts designed especially for ages 5–8.
We start each session reading a book, then create an art project inspired by it, and learn how to write a Chinese character connected to the theme. Each session is a celebration and exploration of Chinese culture.
Example class themes:
“I Am Golden: Celebrating What Makes Me Shine” We’ll read I am Golden, learn the Chinese character me (wǒ) and make gold self portraits that celebrates what makes them unique and special.
“Little Gardeners: Watercress & Growing Together” We’ll read Watercress (a Caldecott and Newbery Medal award winning book), learn the Chinese word for ‘green color’ (lǜ sè); we’ll decorate pots and plant microgreens for kids to take home. Children will also get a chance to eat some watercress while we read.
“Dragon Boats & Brave Legends” We’ll read The Year of the Dragon, learn the Chinese character dragon (lóng); we’ll make dragon boats from egg cartons.
Below are the news reports covering this year’s Open House event (in Chinese):
