Vitality in Ink Shines at CCACC Art Gallery's AAPI Heritage Month Special Exhibition
As celebrations for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month unfold across the world, the CCACC Art Gallery in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is hosting the special exhibition "Vitality in Ink". This event highlights the vibrant beauty of Eastern ink painting while echoing the profound significance of AAPI Heritage Month. The artists' deeply cultivated creative expressions not only showcase the elegance of life but also reflect a rich fusion that transcends geography and culture.
This high-caliber exhibition was initiated by Dr. Kit-Keung Kan, Senior Advisor to the CCACC Art Gallery. In 2023, Dr. Kan was invited to serve as a judge for the 60th Annual Exhibition of the Sumi-e Society of America. He was deeply impressed by the exquisite and awe-inspiring works presented, awarding 20 prizes for ink paintings and five for calligraphy to outstanding artists from across the U.S. After the exhibition concluded, Dr. Kan received approval from Ms. Rita Lewi, Executive Director of the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) and Director of the CCACC Art Gallery, to invite six of the top award winners for a joint exhibition under the theme "Vitality in Ink: Enduring Spirit and Harmony." This event now serves as the gallery's featured celebration for the 2025 AAPI Heritage Month.
From Paving the Way to Vitality in Ink
The exhibition's opening reception took place on the afternoon of Saturday, May 3. Many art enthusiasts and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate. In her welcome speech, Executive Director Lewi thanked everyone for attending this meaningful occasion.
Following her remarks, Dr. Kan introduced the four artists who attended in person: Ms. SimOnaVins Nemcova, Ms. Ann Kozeliski, Ms. Dongpei He, and Ms. Satomi Kamei. Two other featured artists, Ms. Deanne Kroll and Ms. Fumiyo Yoshikawa, were unable to attend.
The four artists present shared their perceptual insights, emotional struggles, and spiritual experiences during the creative process, which have shaped the philosophical thinking and new forms they express in their art. For example, how to combine watercolor and traditional Chinese ink techniques, how to express their yearning for peace and beauty through brushstrokes, how to capture the flow of aura, and how to extend flat ink painting creations to three-dimensional space.
Looking back, the CCACC Art Gallery was established in March 2016. In May of the following year, the then Director Lewi dedicated immense effort to organize its first AAPI Heritage Month exhibition "Paving the Way: Chinese American Stories", which portrayed the trials of early Chinese immigrants in 19th-century America. The exhibition drew wide attention and marked the beginning of a cherished tradition: the gallery's annual AAPI Heritage Month exhibition.
Support and congratulations from old and new friends
Several long-time supporters of CCACC and the Art Gallery were in attendance, including Christina Poy, Administrative Director at Maryland Governor's Office of Community Initiatives; Montgomery County Sheriff Maxwell Uy; and Yi Shen, Asian Liaison from the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships.
New guests included Alanna Lee, a commissioner on the same state commission, and Sierra Gray, representative of Montgomery County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. Both first-time visitors expressed amazement at the gallery space and the exhibition's quality.
During their remarks, guests praised the CCACC Art Gallery for offering an outstanding platform for artistic exchange, and for its role in enriching minds and beautifying lives through art.
A memorable moment involved Yi Shen, who had just attended the Indian Holi Festival before arriving at the gallery. Covered in vibrant powders from head to toe—a signature of Holi celebrations—he shared that the colors symbolize unity and equality beyond borders. As he presented a certificate of commendation on behalf of Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich to Director Sun, he emphasized that Holi's message of love and inclusiveness aligns with the spirit of AAPI Heritage Month.
Invitation into the World of Eastern Ink Art
Throughout the opening reception, each artist enthusiastically engaged with guests, explaining their artworks and discussing their creative journeys. Attendees attentively appreciated each masterpiece and asked thoughtful questions. For example, Ms. Dongpei He, known for her stunning peony paintings, was asked, "Are you a computer major? Your lotus stems seem to be constructed from the binary digits 0 and 1." The depth and imagination behind this question delighted Ms. He.
The opening reception felt like a warm, joyful banquet. While the event ended, the profound impact of the art will linger in visitors' hearts, offering lasting reflection. We sincerely invite all art lovers to come experience the timeless elegance and vibrant life force of Eastern ink painting.
Exhibition Dates: Through June 27, 2025
Gallery Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: CCACC Art Gallery, 9318 Gaither Road, Suite 215, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Parking & Admission: Free
Contact: (301) 820-7200 ext. 8522
(Article by CCACC Art Gallery)
Ms. Christina Poy, Administrative Director at Maryland Governor's Office of Community Initiatives (front row, second from left), gave a remark praising the CCACC and the CCACC Art Gallery.
Mr. Yi Shen, who was covered in red during the Holi festival in India, presented a proclamation to Ms. Rita Lewi, Executive Director of the CCACC and Director of the CCACC Art Gallery, on behalf of Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.
Artists took a group photo. Front row: CCACC Executive Director Lewi; back row from left to right: Ms. Satomi Kamei, Ms. SimOna Vins Nemcova, Dr. Kit-Keung Kan, Ms. Ann Kozeliski, Ms. Dongpei He.
Ms. Dongpei He (second from left) explaining her work.
