The Summer Art in China program, offered by the Center for Chinese Art and the Department of Art at William Paterson University, provides students with the opportunity to participate in a carefully organized study tour focused on viewing and investigating the complexities of China through the lens of visual art. This tour gives students the opportunity to study with actual Chinese artists and lecturers and to learn about new and old characteristics of Chinese culture in general and art in particular. Course credit is earned along with an invaluable cultural immersion experience. The Summer Art in China program has been in existence since summer 2001. This study abroad program offers five weeks of intensive classes (two weeks prior to departure at the WPU campus) with faculty from both American and Chinese universities. During the previous five trips, the tours explored cultural locations in Beijing, Shanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Guizhou and Sichuan, as well as cities and scenic locations including Natong, Nanjing, Hefei, Xian, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Datong, Huangshan, Mount Wutai, Mount Heng, Taiyuan, Pingyao, Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River and Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor. The program established research and educational bases and exchange mechanism with the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, Shannxi Province Art Museum, Anhui University in Hefei, Nanjing Arts Institute, Yangzhou University, Nantong Chinese Art Institute, Suzhou University, and Guizhou Minzu University. The tours have included different lectures and demonstrations from artists in China and enabled students to view Asian culture with new perspectives. Students were able to absorb elements from different cultural traditions and different periods of Chinese history. At the conclusion of the tours, the faculty and students produced a book for each trip, Summer Art in China 2001, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2015, featuring essays and photographs focusing on the art, culture, education, history and content of China’s cultural institutions, including museums. These publications have been very well received and won several important awards from higher education institutions.
Previous Programs 05/17 — 06/20 Summer Art in China 2015 William Paterson University Study Aborad Program Twenty students and faculty from William Paterson University Study participated. The focus was on Chinese minority cultural in Guizhou and Shu culture in Sichuan. The emphasis was placed on Chinese culture from urban to rural, from Chinese to ethnic minorities, from ancient to modern, from the natural landscape to cultural landscape. The program led the group to many sites of historic interest such as Three-Star Piles, Miao minorities villages, the Emei Mountain, the Leshan Giant Buddha and the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. At the conclusion of the tours, the group produced the book Summer Art in China 2015, featuring essays and photographs focusing on the history and art education, minority and art and culture as well as the functions of some relevant Chinese institutions. View Student Comments View 2015 Catalog 05/15 — 06/20 Summer Art in China 2011 William Paterson University Study Aborad Program Thirty-five students and faculty from William Paterson University and Youngstown University participated. The focus was on Chinese art museums and self-taught artists through the lens of understanding, study and interest. Each student focused on one of the following topics: 1) History: From the Traditional to the Modern; 2) Museums: Art Museums in China; 3) Art: Folk Art and self-taught artists; 4) Culture and Education: Xian, Yangzhou, and Nantong. View Student Comments View 2011 Catalog 05/22 - 06/18 Summer Art in China 2008 William Paterson University Study Aborad Program Thirty-five students and faculty from William Paterson University and Youngstown University participated. The focus was on Chinese art museums and self-taught artists through the lens of understanding, study and interest. Each student focused on one of the following topics: 1) History: From the Traditional to the Modern; 2) Museums: Art Museums in China; 3) Art: Folk Art and self-taught artists; 4) Culture and Education: Xian, Yangzhou, and Nantong. View Student Comments View 2008 Catalog 05/22 — 06/20 Summer Art in China 2005 William Paterson University Study Aborad Program Nineteen students and faculty from William Paterson University participated. The focus was on Chinese history and art education through the lens of understanding, study, and interest. Each student focused on one of the following topics: 1) History: The Great Wall, Kaifeng City, 2) Art: Longmen Grottoes, 20th Century Chinese Art, 3) Education: Interviews of University Presidents in China and America, 4) Culture: Song Mountain and Yellow Mountain. View Student Comments View 2005 Catalog 05/21/2001 — 06/17/2001 Summer Art in China 2001 William Paterson University Study Aborad Program Twenty-five students and faculty from William Paterson University participated. The focus was on Chinese ink painting and printmaking through the lens of understanding, study, and interest. Each student focused on one of the following topics: 1) Chinese Ink Painting: Masters and Materials; 2) Woodblock: Jinling Sutra Publishing House, Suzhou Taohuawu Institute; 3) Education: Suzhou University, Anhui University, and Nanjing Arts Institute; 4) Culture: Suzhou Gardens and Yellow Mountain. View Student Comments
