Bringing Art Into the Heart of the Community: Our New Installation at Tatnuck Bookseller

October 22, 2025 · Fei Wu

After wrapping up our exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, we were eager to find a new home for several of Xiang Li’s empress paintings. This time, we didn’t have to look far—just a few towns over in Westborough, Massachusetts, inside one of the region’s most beloved cultural landmarks: Tatnuck Bookseller.

A Local Treasure: Tatnuck’s Story

Founded in 1978, Tatnuck Bookseller is more than a bookstore—it’s a community hub. Inside, you’ll find rows of books by local and national authors, a welcoming café, and dedicated spaces for New England artists to display their work. Unlike big-box stores, Tatnuck offers something rare: a personal touch and genuine connection between creators and their audience.

Over the years, Tatnuck has celebrated countless authors, illustrators, and artisans. It’s one of the few independent bookstores of its scale still thriving today—proof that a love for books, art, and conversation can keep local culture alive and well.

Installing Xiang Li’s Empresses

After our exhibit at the New England Botanic Garden concluded, we wanted to continue sharing the empress collection with a more intimate audience. The stretched canvases found a natural new home among the bookshelves and warm wooden tones of Tatnuck. Space was limited though it’s still quite sizable for a local bookstore, so we selected several major empresses to feature—each representing wisdom, resilience, and beauty through the ages.

The display now lives inside Tatnuck as a hybrid of art and storytelling. Alongside the paintings, visitors can find Xiang Li’s Empress book, notecards, coloring books, and silk scarves, bridging fine art and accessible keepsakes. It’s a way for visitors to take a piece of history home—and, more importantly, to start a conversation about women, art, and heritage.

Before the installation…

After the installation…

Building Community Through Collaboration

What made this installation special wasn’t just the art—it was the people. Working with Polly, Hannah, Amrita, and Rachel, has been an absolute joy. Their enthusiasm for local artists and their hands-on approach made the entire process seamless. Every step—from planning the layout to discussing future collaborations—reminded us how meaningful community partnerships can be when driven by mutual respect and creativity.

Upcoming Event: December 13 at Tatnuck

We’re thrilled to join Tatnuck’s Art Festival on December 13 (11 AM – 2 PM) for a day of art, storytelling, and connection. I’ll be offering a short artist talk and Q&A, followed by a casual “walk and talk” around the display. It’s a wonderful chance to meet readers, art lovers, and anyone curious about the stories behind Xiang Li’s paintings.

Find details at xiangliart.com/events.

Why Artists Should Partner with Local Bookstores

If you’re an artist, consider your local bookstore not just as a retail venue—but as a community partner. These spaces welcome audiences who love ideas, stories, and creativity. Here are a few ways to get started:

Introduce yourself: Visit the store, meet the staff, and learn how they support local creators. Many bookstores have rotating art walls or special event days.
Match your art to the environment: Consider how your work complements the space. Smaller-scale pieces, prints, and merchandise often integrate beautifully among shelves and displays.
Offer variety: From books and cards to wearable art, provide options that fit different budgets and interests.
Create engagement opportunities: Host an artist talk, demo, or Q&A to make the experience personal and memorable.
Think partnership, not placement: Collaborate on ideas that serve both the artist and the business—like themed events or seasonal showcases.

Art Where People Gather

Art shouldn’t live only in museums—it should live where people gather, read, and share stories. Our collaboration with Tatnuck Bookseller is a small example of how creativity can reach people in their everyday lives.

To every artist out there: look around your community. Your next exhibit might be right down the street—in a place where art and story naturally meet.

Artist’s Note from Xiang Li

“Seeing my empress paintings surrounded by books feels very special to me. Books hold knowledge, and my empresses also carry the wisdom and courage of women through time.

When people stop to look—sometimes for a long time—I feel their curiosity. They may not know Chinese history, but they understand strength and kindness. That makes me very happy.

I believe art can live anywhere there is love and learning. Tatnuck feels like both.”
— Xiang Li, October 2025