Lunar New Year at the Worcester Art Museum (2026): Community, Art, and the Living Stories of Chinese Empresses
March 16, 2026 · Fei Wu
On February 16, 2026, we had the joy of returning to the Worcester Art Museum for our second consecutive Lunar New Year celebration. Each year feels different. The space, the people, and the conversations bring new life to the work.
This year’s gathering was especially meaningful as we presented a brand new Eastern Jin Dynasty painting measuring four by two meters, created by my mother, artist Xiang Li. The piece celebrates the spirit of the Year of the Horse and will later be presented at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where it will eventually be seen by thousands more visitors.
But before it reached Boston, it found its first audience right here in Worcester.
The Beauty and Significance of the Chapter House
Our exhibition was hosted once again inside the Chapter House at the Worcester Art Museum, an architectural gem within the museum that offers a quiet, almost contemplative atmosphere for art.
The space is elegant and historic, featuring beautiful stonework. It creates an intimate environment where visitors can slow down, study the paintings closely, and ask questions.
Because this was our second year exhibiting in the Chapter House, the experience felt even more natural this time. We understood the flow of visitors, how to arrange the paintings, and how to invite people into conversations about Chinese history and art.
Counting Visitors and Being Surprised
Event organizer Aileen Novak gave us a handheld clicker to track how many visitors stopped by our exhibit.
At one point toward the end of the event, the number had already reached between 800 and 900 people. But my mother had to step away several times between 11 AM and 3 PM, and during those moments the clicker was not always in use.
Because of that, I suspect the real number was closer to 1,000 to 1,200 visitors who stopped by the exhibit that day.
What mattered most was not just the number, but the energy in the room. Families gathered around the paintings. Couples studied the details together. Children pointed at the clothing and colors while parents asked about the historical figures.
Old Friends, New Friends, and Unexpected Connections
One of the most touching parts of these events is seeing how our community continues to grow.
We meet many new people each year, but we also see familiar faces who return to support us again and again.
One visitor who deeply moved us was Mei Mei, a young woman adopted from China by her wonderful mother, Christine. Mei Mei is now in her early twenties and first met us at the Tatnuck Bookseller event. Seeing her return to support my mother’s work felt incredibly special.
When people take time out of their busy lives to attend these events, it reminds us that the art is creating real connections.
A Small Team Behind the Scenes
These exhibitions are always a collective effort.
My friend Tripti Gore Chandorkar, the content strategist for XiangLiArt, made the hour long drive to spend several hours with us. Her presence was invaluable. She listened to the conversations between visitors and my mother, observed which stories resonated most, and helped us think about future content.
My partner Adam Leffert was also there, helping with conversations and navigating sales while welcoming visitors.
Meanwhile, my mother often sat quietly behind the table, calmly greeting guests and answering questions. It is remarkable to watch how people naturally gravitate toward her work and her presence.
Expanding the Display This Year
Because the Chapter House offered more space than some of our other venues, we were able to create a larger display this year.
We brought:
- Six large silk paintings
- Four dragon paintings on linen
- Wearable art pieces displayed on a clothing rack
- Several scarves and bags
- Chinese zodiac greeting cards
- Chinese empress notebooks
- Panda greeting cards
- The Xiang Li Panda Coloring Book
The panda coloring book has become especially popular. In fact, Adobe Create Now Boston recently purchased 50 copies to distribute at their event, which makes us incredibly proud.
Visitors also purchased our Chinese Empress books, which are more substantial pieces that collectors often treasure.
Seeing people wear my mother’s art is always one of my favorite moments. Interestingly, many people with tattoos seem especially drawn to the wearables. During the summer, when women wear dresses with scarves featuring the empress designs, the combination looks absolutely beautiful.
New Works Created Despite Physical Challenges
Over the past year, my mother has faced serious physical challenges. She experienced knee problems and underwent surgeries on both of her hands.
Despite this, she continued painting.
For this exhibition she completed two new black and white silk portraits of Chinese empresses: Luo Shen and Empress Ma. Both figures already existed in full color paintings, but the monochrome silk technique has been so well received that she decided to revisit them in black and white.
She also repainted another empress portrait in color after the previous version was sold.
As I reflect on the past year, I truly cannot fathom the amount of dedication required to continue creating at this level. My mother just turned 74 in early 2026, and her commitment to art remains unwavering.
Art That Reaches Everyone
One moment that stayed with me was seeing visitors in wheelchairs enjoying the exhibit alongside families with young children. I love how accessible my mother’s art feels. People of all ages and abilities are able to engage with the work. Some admire the craftsmanship. Others connect with the stories of the empresses. Children are often fascinated by the clothing, the colors, and the animals that appear in the paintings.
Outside the Chapter House, the Lunar New Year celebration continued with music performances by Chinese musicians, art lessons upstairs, and children running through the museum halls.
It reminded me how powerful cultural events can be when they bring together history, art, and community.
When Paintings Change With Their Environment
One surprising realization while writing this article is how differently the same paintings feel in different places.
When we display these works at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the atmosphere is grand and expansive. Inside the Worcester Art Museum, the environment feels more intimate and conversational. Visitors take their time. They ask questions. They look closely.
The paintings themselves do not change, but the energy around them does. In a way, each environment brings out a different personality in the work.
A Conversation With an Artist Magazine Editor
Another highlight of the day was meeting an editor, Doreen, from Artist Magazine. Later this fall, we will collaborate on an article about my mother’s work titled Off the Canvas.
Because my mother primarily paints on watercolor and silk, rather than oil, the story offers a different perspective on artistic practice and technique. Our conversation lasted much longer than expected, and I learned a great deal about how artists from different traditions are reaching new audiences today.
Continuing the Journey
Events like this remind us that Xiang Li Art is not just about paintings.
It is about cultural storytelling, community connections, the dedication of a lifelong artist, and the many people who make these experiences possible.
Every visitor who stops to look, ask a question, or share a story becomes part of that journey.
And for that, we are deeply grateful.