Ring in the Year of the Horse with Creative Lunar New Year Calligraphy Experiences
This Lunar New Year, celebrate new beginnings and timeless traditions with two immersive online calligraphy events led by artist and instructor Jojo Liu. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, these virtual classes offer a meaningful way to connect with Chinese culture through the graceful flow of brush and ink.
The Lunar New Year Calligraphy Class (Virtual) introduces participants to the art and discipline of Chinese calligraphy. With a focus on proper brush handling, stroke sequences, and character composition, this session offers a foundation for anyone interested in exploring this centuries-old practice. Attendees will write auspicious seasonal phrases often associated with good fortune and renewal—perfect to display at home or share with loved ones. This workshop is open to all experience levels and requires advance registration.
For a more festive and hands-on experience, Jojo is also hosting a DIY Chinese New Year Couplet Workshop (Live Online). In this 60-minute session, participants will learn how to design their own traditional red paper couplets—symbols of happiness and prosperity placed at doorways during the New Year. With step-by-step guidance, students will gain skills in brush control, character layout, and personal expression while creating custom decorations that hold deep cultural meaning.
Both events are conducted online and are ideal for anyone seeking a creative and reflective way to honor the spirit of the season. No prior knowledge of Chinese language or calligraphy is needed—just an open mind and a willingness to explore.
To register or find more details about Jojo’s upcoming Lunar New Year classes, please visit https://jojocalligraphy.com.
The Mindful Art of Calligraphy: How the Brush Shapes the Brain
Chinese calligraphy has long been celebrated not merely as a visual art but as a mind-body practice that harmonizes thought, motion, and attention. Modern research shows that engaging in calligraphic writing activates extensive neural networks — from motor control to emotional regulation and cognitive focus — much more than simple handwriting or typing. This immersive engagement combines visual recognition, fine motor coordination, and memory recall, creating a uniquely rich cognitive workout that strengthens both mind and body.
Studies in cognitive neuroscience reveal that practicing calligraphy can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance brain connectivity through repeated, intentional strokes. These benefits aren’t just subtle — experienced practitioners show measurable improvements in areas related to attention and sensory-motor integration. This is because calligraphy requires both precision and fluidity, asking the brain to balance focused intention with rhythmic, flowing movement.
But the benefits extend beyond cognitive processing alone. The act of writing in this tradition cultivates a deep state of presence — sometimes described as flow. When calligraphers begin to write without external distractions and follow the dynamics of brush, ink, and paper, they naturally enter a meditative state. This helps quiet the “monkey mind,” reducing anxiety while enhancing clarity and awareness. In this way, calligraphy becomes not just a practice of form, but a practice of being.
For many students, this process fosters patience and mindfulness. Rather than racing toward perfection, the brush encourages exploration — learning how each stroke carries meaning, rhythm, and emotional resonance. Over time, the brain begins to associate the slow, deliberate motions of calligraphy with calm, focus, and creative insight. Modern life is fast and fragmented; calligraphy invites us to slow down, engage our senses, and connect deeply with the moment.
If you’re curious about experiencing these benefits firsthand, Chinese calligraphy offers both artistic reward and mindful transformation. Begin your calligraphic journey — a practice that not only enriches creativity but also nurtures the brain and soul — at https://jojocalligraphy.com, where lessons and resources await practitioners of all levels.
Bringing the Art of Chinese Calligraphy to Bel Aire Classrooms
Recently, hundreds of students at Bel Aire Elementary School had the rare opportunity to learn about Chinese calligraphy firsthand during a special visit from calligraphy artist Jojo Liu. The program, highlighted in The Ark, took place over three days during the week of December 1, giving third through fifth graders a hands‑on introduction to a practice with more than 3,000 years of history. Professional instruction and authentic materials were made possible through an arts grant from the Reed Union School District, allowing students to explore this expressive and disciplined form of writing in a structured classroom setting.
Throughout the workshop, students practiced holding traditional brushes, learned the order and rhythm of strokes, and carefully painted characters on rice paper. Many children discovered that calligraphy requires focus, coordination, and patience, while also offering a creative outlet and a connection to cultural traditions far older than most of their textbooks. Even when the brush felt unfamiliar or demanding, the young artists embraced the challenge and were proud of the work they produced. The Ark
This classroom visit underscores how Chinese calligraphy can enrich educational environments, offering students not only a chance to try something new, but also an experience that deepens their understanding of cultural arts and creative expression. Events like these reflect Jojo’s ongoing commitment to bringing meaningful, tactile experiences to learners of all ages, whether in schools, libraries, or online. The Ark
To read the original article in The Ark, visit: https://www.thearknewspaper.com/live/grant-brings-expert-chinese-calligrapher-to-classrooms-at-bel-aire-school
Learn more about Jojo’s upcoming workshops, virtual classes, and community outreach at https://jojocalligraphy.com.
Celebrate Lunar New Year Through the Art of Virtual Calligraphy
The Lunar New Year is a time to reset, reconnect, and welcome new beginnings with meaning. As the Year of the Horse approaches, Jojo Liu invites you to celebrate the season through the thoughtful art of Chinese calligraphy. Two upcoming virtual workshops offer the chance to learn, create, and carry tradition forward in a hands-on, modern way.
The Lunar New Year Calligraphy Class is a guided session that introduces the foundations of Chinese brush writing. From the first moment the brush touches the page, students learn how shape, pressure, and order come together to form characters with balance and intention. Participants will explore the structure of auspicious phrases commonly used during the New Year, creating personalized calligraphy pieces that blend tradition with individual expression. This class is open to all levels and requires registration.
For those who enjoy the decorative spirit of the season, the DIY Chinese New Year Couplet Workshop focuses on one of the most recognizable Lunar New Year traditions—writing and displaying red paper couplets. These poetic banners are placed around doorways to invite good luck, joy, and harmony into the home. In this live virtual session, Jojo guides participants through the process of designing their own couplets, combining instruction on brush control and composition with the deeper cultural meaning behind each phrase. In just 60 minutes, students will complete a pair of festive works that carry both beauty and symbolic warmth.
Both classes are held live online, allowing students to join from anywhere and learn in real time. The sessions are structured yet relaxed, making them a good fit for individuals, families, and small groups alike. No knowledge of Chinese is needed to participate—just an interest in creative learning and a willingness to engage with one of the most meaningful traditions of the season.
To view upcoming class times and reserve your spot, visit https://jojocalligraphy.com.