Spring Lacquer Fan Workshop

Swirls of History: Spring Lacquer Fan Workshop

Date: May 16th, Saturday
Time: 2-5pm
Location: UMass Amherst University Village Community Center

The Lacquer Fan (大漆) uses a unique “floating lacquer” (Dianqi) technique. By dropping specialized plant-based lacquers onto a water surface, artists create swirling, marble-like patterns. When a fan is dipped into the water, it captures these fleeting colors in an instant. This technique is often described as “One fan, one world”—because the water never moves the same way twice, every single fan created is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that can never be replicated.

This workshop is designed for students of all ages and their families. It’s not just a class; it’s a sensory experience:

Create Your Own Masterpiece: Choose from over 12 vibrant colors to create your own signature combo. You can even draw or write on your fan to add a personal touch.
Complete Kit Provided: We provide everything—the fans, premium lacquers, protective gloves, tape, and elegant tassels to finish your artwork.
Expert Guidance: Our teachers will be on-site to share the history this Intangible Cultural Heritage art and provide step-by-step hands-on guidance.
Take Home the Art: Your unique fan is yours to keep—a beautiful, functional piece of history to display or use!

🎨 Event Recap

Our Lacquer Fan Workshop brought together art, culture, hands-on creativity, and personal storytelling in such a beautiful way. Participants had a fantastic time learning about lacquer — what it is, how it has been used throughout history, and why it remains such a fascinating art form today.

We began by exploring how lacquer was traditionally used to create decorative art and to beautify everyday objects such as furniture, dining ware, and household items. Participants learned that lacquer is not only practical and durable, but also deeply artistic — turning ordinary objects into meaningful works of craftsmanship. We also talked about how lacquer-inspired art continues to appear in modern design, fashion, cultural education, and creative expression.

Making your own

Participants first created bookmarks to practice color combinations and pattern-making techniques. Then everyone selected their own fan shape, chose their favorite colors, and designed a unique lacquer-inspired fan. The room quickly filled with movement, color, and excitement as participants experimented with different techniques, including twirling, push-and-pull, layering, dipping, and gently guiding the fan through the water to create flowing patterns.

One especially fun technique was using tape to create shapes and intricate designs. Participants placed tape on parts of the fan before dipping it into the water. When the fan came out, the taped areas remained white, creating bold contrast and beautiful designs. It was amazing to see how each person used the same materials in completely different ways.

Every fan turned out differently — some looked like flowers, waves, clouds, galaxies, rivers, or summer breezes. Some were soft and elegant, while others were bold, bright, and full of energy. Each piece reflected the maker’s imagination, personality, and story.

To celebrate everyone’s work, we ended the workshop with a Lacquer Fan Fashion Show! Each participant had the chance to present their fan, share their inspiration, explain their color choices, and talk about what their design represented. It was such a special moment. The fans were not only practical for summer — they became personal artworks carrying memories, beliefs, creativity, and self-expression.

This workshop reminded us that art is more than making something beautiful. Art gives people a way to share who they are. Culture gives us a way to connect across generations, backgrounds, and communities. Through this workshop, participants did not just learn a traditional art form — they created something meaningful with their own hands and shared it with others.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and brought so much curiosity, creativity, and joy to the day. Thank you for making this workshop such a vibrant and memorable experience!