OC Public Library cultural event by Jim Z. Zhang
橙縣公共圖書館文化活動 Jim Z. Zhang 教學示範
The world-renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, once said "In culture, we build bridges, not walls." Orange County Chinese Artists Association (OCCAA) has been building bridges with art to promote understanding and strengthen friendship in our community.
In early October 1990, twenty plus local art enthusiasts met in Orange County for a mini art exhibit and discussion on organizing an artists’ association. On February 14, 1991, OCCAA was founded; a mission statement and a draft set of bylaws were adopted. Since then, members have been meeting regularly to exchange ideas, sharpen skills, share art appreciation, and enrich our lives.
Ms. Ve-na Chen was elected the first president and served 1991-95, 97-99, 2001-02. She was the Chinese brush painting teacher for 15 years in the Irvine Chinese School and instructor at Irvine Fine Arts Center for 30 years. Her passion in art inspired countless aficionados in Chinese art. During her tenure as president, we held exhibits in libraries, the Bowers Museum, U.C. Irvine, even a Federal Government building. Ve-na and her board members invited master artists such as Nien Tsu Hu, Ho Nien Au, Shih Shang Hsu, Bai Zhong Zheng, and Ji Xiong Lao to give lectures, do demos and showcase their works. These events were well attended by our members and their friends.
Mr. Chung Fan presided from 1995 to 1997. He himself was an accomplished artist in calligraphy, poetry, tree bark art and photography. As a powerhouse of encouragement, he was always urging members to create more new works. He initiated the Chinese Art magazine. It provided a fertile garden to record our shows, trips, and to feature artists. Under his leadership, we tightened our bond with the City of Irvine. We responded when he campaigned for donations toward the Lakeview Senior Center then under construction.
Mr. Steve Wang was the president for the period 1999- 2001. This was an active period for OCCAA. Every other month, we invited a guest speaker to lecture and do a demo in one of the community centers. Every member was required to contribute a couple of new works for exhibition. Our group shows went as far as Davis and San Diego. Mr. James Ngan organized a Cultural Corridor in the 99 Irvine Ranch Market for us to bring art closer to the public.
Ms. Terry Lee was president for the period 2003-2010. This was a time for structure and growth. Ms. Angela Tu, a well-known commercial designer, designed our new logo in April of 2005. A silver Li Shu calligraphy of "Art" on a red background became our logo. This logo was applied to our stationery, envelopes and business cards. Mr. David Lee finalized the legal incorporation procedure for OCCAA on May 31, 2005, as a non-political, non-religious, and non-profit organization. With the dedicated help of Mr. Maxwell Cheung, OCCAA created its website www.occaartist.org. That fall, along with Irvine Chinese School and the Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association, we formed a strong trio to participate in the first year of Irvine Global Village Festival.
Ms. I-Tuan Wang was president from 2010 to12. To celebrate the 20th anniversary in 2010, a commemorative album was published. We continued to support community outreach programs in Orange County schools, libraries and Art Centers. Through sharing the core spirit of Chinese art, we promoted appreciation of nature, family solidarity and neighborliness.
OCCAA invited artist Shih-Shang Hsu to talk about his art journey.
1994 年橙縣華人藝協邀請徐石上談「藝術創作生涯」
Mr. Kenneth Pao and Mrs. Peggy Pao were our leaders in 2012-18. Being in the accounting field and high tech field, they set out to digitize all documents and data. Since then, our member directory, bylaws, meeting minutes, exhibits, and tax returns have been entered as digital files. Peggy was a passionate participant in the Irvine Global Village Festival for nine years. She simply loved the positive energy of the city staff and the cooperative spirit of all the steering committees.
Inspired by the team spirit of our association, Ms. Bonny Lay stepped up to the plate to assume the presidency in 2018. In the short period since, 54 new members have joined us. Besides Mission Viejo Library, we have added Corner Gallery in Huntington Beach, and Lakeview Senior Center as our annual show locations. In 2019, we initiated plein air painting in Irvine Mason Park and Sherman Gardens. Since March of 2020, many of our routine activities were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges and crises do not hinder our creativity. Our first virtual show was launched in the winter of 2020. It pointed the way for us to carry on more on-line activities.
Needless to say, an enterprise such as OCCAA is always supported by many behind the scenes. In the case of OCCAA, Ms. Sally Feng is a good example. She served as our secretary for 18 years. With her outstanding language ability and organization skills, she served under several presidents and boards. To her and all the other members who work hard in the background, thank you!
For the last three decades, OCCAA has been building bridges to bring people closer. We continue to reach out to neighboring communities, make more friends, and contribute positively toward building a harmonious society. With the combined efforts of all the organizations, there is no doubt our great city will emerge from its challenges and stand ever taller in the next 50 years and beyond.
On October 4, 1990, the art enthusiasts in Orange County held a small scale art exhibition at the Santa Ana Sichuan Pavilion restaurant, which led to the establishment of the OCCAA in the following year.
1990 年 10 月 4 日橙縣愛好藝術人士在 Santa Ana 四川樓舉行小型畫展雅敘，促成橙縣華人藝術家協會於次年正式成立。
舉世聞名的大提琴家馬友友說「在文化裡，我們造橋而不築牆」。橙縣華人藝術家協會藉藝術造橋，促進各族裔的溝通，敦睦友誼。1990 年秋，廿多位熱愛藝術的朋友在橙縣雅敘，會中范仲等人倡議籌組藝術協會。1991 年 2 月 14 日正式集會，樹立宗旨，擬定會章，選鍾維娜為首任會長。鍾錐娜承接重任，前後七年。她曾在爾灣中文學校及爾灣藝術中心教授國畫多年，學生遍及中外。本會多次受邀各地學校、博物館、及聯邦大樓作團體展。會內定期邀請名家演講示範，諸如胡念祖、歐豪年、徐石上、鄭百重、勞繼雄等。
范仲擔任 1995 至 97 年會長。他擅長詩詞、書法、樹皮畫、攝影，創刊「華藝」期刊，為會友提供展出、專題報導及創作的園地。在他帶領下，本會支持爾灣市政府，積極參與募款，促成湖景老人中心的營建。
王友遂接掌 1999 至 2001。此期活動頻繁，每隔一月就邀名家專題演講並示範。集會時會友各帶兩幅新作來分享及觀摩。對外展出，北達戴維斯市、洛杉磯，南抵聖地牙哥。經顏俊傑策劃，在爾灣大華超市開闢文化走廊，讓藝術走入生活。
陳淑妍在 2003 至 2010 擔任會長。2005 年春，標誌設計專家涂世琪為畫會設計會徵，紅底銀書，單個隸書「藝」字，古雅別致，並設計名片、信封、信紙。同年五月底，李德威律師為我們申請成立非政治、非宗教的非營利組織。經張文昌的策劃修正，occaartist.org 網址正式啟用。本會與中文學校、松柏會攜手並進，在地球村展出、示範並介紹中國書畫。
趙儀端任 2010 至 12 會長。本會欣逢廿週年，發行紀念特刊。她特別支持社區活動。經常應各級學校、圖書館邀約，示範字畫之美，講解中國書畫特色及精神，並鼓吹對大自然的尊重，分享華人家庭父慈子孝的親情與睦鄰的美德。
包質正及林小燕執掌會長 2012 至 18，基於兩位在電腦與會計的特長，着手整理全部檔案資料，舉凡會員登記、會章、會議記錄、稅表、展覽、都歸入電腦。有鑑於爾灣市政府工作人員的敬業與便民精神，林小燕代表本會參與地球村的策劃委員會共九年。
余建華在 2018 挑起會長重任。一年半中，新增會員 54 位。除每年固定的米慎維埃荷圖書館展出，更新闢杭亭頓康諾畫廊。發起戶外寫生，帶動會友捕捉自然美景。2020 年因疫情閉戶，畫會首度網路畫展誕生。
歷年來都有一組熱心理事，為本會默默付出，其中陸懋衡堪為表率。她特殊的語文及組織能力，被多任會長倚重。三十年來，橙縣華人藝術家協會秉承創會宗旨，努力造橋，促進文化交流，敦親睦鄰，期以藝術美化社會。