Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse With Lunar New Year Fest at School of Art

Endowed associate professor Alice J. Lee is hosting an all-day celebration at the School of Art's Studio and Design Center, or SDCR, honoring the Year of the Fire Horse through art, design, performance and shared gathering. The festival brings together creative voices across disciplines and backgrounds, joining designers from across the country to reflect on the Lunar New Year's themes of bold innovation and rapid transformation.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the lobby of the Studio and Design Center.

The celebration features performances and interactive activities by campus and community organizations, graphic design lectures by visiting guests and a communal lunch catered by local favorites. One of the key components is Under the Same Moon, an art and design exhibition in the SDCR Design Clinic that reflects the spirit of the Lunar New Year. Thirteen artists will display work themed around the new year.

"Through this event, we aim to make artistic and cultural experiences accessible to all, showcasing the excellence of our students, faculty and community partners. By gathering across disciplines and backgrounds, the School of Art demonstrates to our community how creativity across disciplines, learning outside the classroom and cultural connection thrive together in our space. These elements are the building blocks of art education," Lee said.

A focus of the festival is connecting the community with some of today's most celebrated designers, bringing innovative minds to Arkansas in the spirit of the Fire Horse. Speaker Manuel Miranda, owner and lead designer of New York-based design firm MMP, will give a talk to graphic design students about representing culture in design techniques. Jason Yang, applied assistant professor in digital arts and professional in residence at the University of Tulsa, will also speak to graduate students about commercial creative services and how they influence teaching design and engaging with communities.

Visitors can also learn about organizations including the AIGA Student Group UARK, the Asian Studies Program at the U of A, the Chinese Association of Northwest Arkansas, the Japanese Students Association and the Korean Students Association. The event will also feature a performance by the Marshallese dance group Te Moana Otea.

"Being part of organizing this fest has been about honoring culture through design and shared experience. When we bring artists, students and community organizations into the same space, design becomes something lived. That kind of exchange is what shapes us into more thoughtful designers and more connected people," said Diana Rubi Galindo, graduate assistant and assistant coordinator for the festival.

Schedule of Events

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Under the Same Moon exhibition in the SDCR Design Clinic
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Community and student organization booths in the SDCR lobby
11 a.m. — Visiting graphic design talks in the sophomore graphic design studios
1 p.m. — Lunch catered by Ginger Thai and Lasang Pinoy
2 p.m. — Graphic design workshop (open to graphic design students only)

This celebration offers an opportunity to gather, reflect and look forward to the Year of the Fire Horse, which focuses on innovation and transformation. Organizers hope visitors will leave with a better understanding of the collaborative work at the School of Art and deeper connections to cultures in the Northwest Arkansas community.

The festival will take place at the Studio and Design Center at 696 W. Praxis Ln., Fayetteville, AR 72701. Attendees are encouraged to find parking on or near campus or use Razorback Transit services. For more updates, visit @lunarnyfest_fayar on Instagram.