UMMA Family Day: Dragons Everywhere All At Once

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Dragons stir the global imagination, writhing through water, sky and earth. Join us as we learn more about the many facets of dragons through East Asian art, culture and dance. Featuring performances, collaborative art making, and development of your own personal mini-zine! All ages welcome.

Free and open to the public, registration recommended.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

3:30pm
EVENT BEGINS: Check-in and wander the Museum with your crew

3:30pm, 4pm, & 4:30pm
PERFORMANCE: Sonic choreography with U-M Assistant Professor of Dance, Fangfei Miao and percussionist James Koo (musician and composer; MM ’24, chamber music, percussion).

Throughout
100 WAYS TO WRITE DRAGON: Although there is only one standard character for dragon, pronounced long in Chinese, 100+ distinct ways to write this word can be achieved by manipulating the thickness and style of the strokes. Follow artist Zhen Guo as she demonstrates the artistry of the written character on a long, unfurling scroll–and add your version—strokes, pictures, or words.

WHATCHA MEAN-MAKE A DRAGON ZINE: Make a mini, one-of-a-kind zine booklet with art, words, and pop-ups about dragons with UMMA Gallery Educators

SUPPORT
This UMMA Family Day kicks-off a cultural and artistic initiative at the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS) centered around the dragon in Asian culture as a symbol of tradition, innovation and inclusivity. Scheduled for Winter 2026, the LRCCS program includes an artist residency led by renowned feminist artist Zhen Guo, who will create a dragon head sculpture using recycled materials, while students and volunteers craft the dragon’s body for use in performances scheduled around campus and community art sites and festivals.

A partnership with the Center for World Performance Studies, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, ArtsEngine, and the International Institute East Asia National Resource Center, a U.S. Department of Education Title VI program.

This event is generously supported by the University of Michigan Credit Union Arts Adventures Program, UMMA’s Lead Sponsor for Student and Family Engagement.