Creative Sector Day at the Massachusetts State House: Art, Advocacy, and Belonging
March 17, 2026 · Fei Wu
Showing Up as Artists, Together
On March 3, 2026 my partner Adam Leffert and I had the honor of representing Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses art at Creative Sector Day, organized by MassCreative at the Massachusetts State House.
We brought with us one of my mother’s large-scale works, a Northern Song end-period Chinese Empress painting, along with a selection of her Zodiac cards, panda cards, mineral pigments, and raw silk. While we weren’t there to sell anything, we were there to do something just as important: connect.
And connect we did.
Positioned just 10 to 15 feet from the center stage, we had a front-row seat to something far bigger than any single artist or organization. This wasn’t a competition. There were no winners or losers. Instead, it was a gathering of artists across generations, disciplines, and backgrounds, each bringing their voice, their culture, and their story.
A Full-Circle Moment at the State House
Being back at the Massachusetts State House this year carried an added layer of meaning for us. In 2025, Xiang Li was honored as a recipient of a Creative Individual Grant, which brought her to this very building in recognition of her decades of artistic dedication and cultural contribution. For us to return again in 2026, this time presenting her work among fellow artists during Creative Sector Day, felt like a quiet full-circle moment. It was a reminder that these milestones are not isolated achievements, but part of a longer journey of showing up, sharing the work, and continuing to build connections within the creative community.
What Creative Sector Day Really Means
Creative Sector Day is more than an event. It is a statewide advocacy effort that brings artists, cultural organizations, and policymakers together to recognize the importance of the arts in Massachusetts.
Organized annually by MassCreative, the day is designed to:
- Elevate the role of arts and culture in the economy and education
- Advocate for public funding and policy support
- Give artists a platform to be seen and heard inside the State House
- Build community among creatives who might otherwise never meet
MassCreative itself plays a critical role in Massachusetts. As a nonprofit advocacy organization, they work year-round to support artists, creative businesses, and cultural institutions through policy, funding initiatives, and public awareness.
If you are an artist in Massachusetts and you are not familiar with their work, it is worth taking the time to explore what they offer. Membership is open, and participation in events like this can open unexpected doors.
A Room Full of Stories
What stayed with me most were the performances.
A group of young dancers from Colombia stood proudly in front of more than 200 people, sharing their culture through movement. Their energy was contagious. Their presence was powerful.
There were singers, poets, performers of all kinds. Each act felt deeply personal, yet universally understood.
And in between those performances, people walked through the space, stopping by our table, pausing in front of my mother’s work. Some asked questions. Others simply stood quietly, taking it in.
Even without sales, these moments mattered.
Because this is what art does. It creates a bridge between people who may not share a language, a background, or a lived experience.
Presenting Xiang Li’s Work in a New Context
Bringing my mother’s work into the Massachusetts State House felt surreal.
Her journey began decades ago in the Forbidden City, mastering traditional Chinese painting techniques, working with mineral pigments, and painting on silk. To now see her work displayed in a civic space like this, surrounded by artists from every corner of the world, was deeply meaningful.
We shared not just finished pieces, but also process:
- Raw silk, to show the foundation of her work
- Mineral pigments, to explain her traditional methods
- Cards and smaller prints, to make the work more approachable
People were curious. They leaned in. They asked thoughtful questions.
And even when there was no time for long conversations, there was always a moment of recognition. A smile. A nod. A quiet “this is beautiful.”
A Personal Moment I Won’t Forget
At the end of the event, I gifted my mother’s empress book to Emily Ruddock, Executive Director at MassCreative. It was a small gesture, but one that felt right.
Events like this don’t just happen. They are thoughtfully organized, carefully coordinated, and powered by people who truly believe in the importance of art and community.
Emily’s leadership, along with the broader MassCreative team, made this day possible for all of us.
How Artists Can Get Involved
If you are an artist, creative entrepreneur, or cultural organizer in Massachusetts, here are a few ways to get involved with MassCreative:
- Become a member: Join a growing network of artists and advocates
- Attend Creative Sector Day: Show up, share your work, and meet others
- Participate in advocacy efforts: Support policies that fund and protect the arts
- Stay informed: Follow their updates on grants, events, and opportunities
Opportunities like this are not always about immediate outcomes. They are about visibility, relationships, and long-term impact.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In a world where so much of our work happens online, being physically present in a space like the State House carries a different kind of weight.
You are not just posting. You are not just publishing. You are standing there, representing your work, your culture, your story. And you are doing it alongside others who are doing the same.
That collective presence is powerful. It is something technology cannot replicate.
I was thrilled to see both Malissa Gallant and Lea Morgan from the New England Botanic Garden again at the Creative Sector Day.
I also saw Fabian Barracks and Shantelle Campbell from the Worcester Cultural Coalition.
Looking Ahead
This experience left me with a renewed appreciation for in-person gatherings and the role they play in sustaining the arts.
Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes effort.
But being there, in that room, surrounded by artists of all ages and disciplines, reminded me why we do this work in the first place.
To share.
To connect.
To be seen.
And to help others feel seen, too.