The final release of the Shen Yun 20th Anniversary Celebration Series made its world premiere on Aug. 1 during a special gallery opening reception at New Middletown, drawing local officials, artists, and community members to celebrate two decades of artistic excellence and the revival of traditional Chinese culture.
Held at New Middletown, 29 North St., the month-long exhibition features 20 newly released Shen Yun-inspired artworks. Guests enjoyed live classical music, refreshments, and the unveiling of museum-quality giclée prints produced on premium German Hahnemühle Museum Etching Paper with archival pigment technology, designed to preserve their brilliance for more than a century.
Celebrating traditional culture through art
Welcoming guests, the event’s master of ceremonies said the exhibition commemorates “the 20th anniversary of Shen Yun Performing Arts,” which has spent two decades “reviving the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.”
Explaining the inspiration behind the collection, the host said, “How can the magic from the live performance be captured and brought home? The spirit of each stage has been brought to life on canvas.”
Guests were invited to explore artwork inspired by 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, with each piece reflecting “virtue, elegance, and timeless beauty.”
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Mayor: ‘There’s nothing but positive’
Middletown Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano said the exhibition is another example of the positive relationship between the city and Shen Yun Productions.
“We’ve had such a positive relationship with this facility, with Shen Yun Productions and Fei Tian College,” DeStefano said. “The positive economic benefits to our community, and the cultural benefits—you know—a diverse city, a diverse community, sharing in everyone’s culture… We’re just happy to be a part of it, and even more happy that it’s here in the City of Middletown.”
He said events like this strengthen Middletown’s reputation as an arts destination.
“It gives the community credibility in the arts field,” he said. “It’s something that has worldwide name recognition… People come in, they go have coffee, they have dinner, they just walk around downtown and enjoy the community… There’s nothing but positive.”
DeStefano also praised the New Middletown team, saying, “Lily and the crew are just fantastic, and the operation is phenomenal.”
Encouraging residents to support local arts, he added, “Everyone likes the arts, but not everyone supports the arts. We want to encourage people to come out to events like this and show their support.”
Visitors inspired by beauty and tradition
Many attendees said the exhibition allowed them to experience Shen Yun in a new way.
Jo Ytsma, who has followed Shen Yun since 2009, said she was excited to attend after receiving an invitation from friends.
“It’s quite amazing to see the things that you see on the stage printed into fine artwork that you can actually hang in your home and bring the beauty of the show back to your home,” she said. “It’s very lovely to see.”
She also noted that art exhibitions like this are uncommon in the area and “bring the specialty to the whole community,” giving families and friends another way to enjoy the arts together.
Louis Russo, who attended with his wife, said the exhibition helps distinguish Middletown from other communities.
“I certainly think that this does a lot for the community and can help Middletown set itself apart from many of the other nice communities that we have in Orange County,” he said. “New Middletown is kind of a unique store… this is a unique event… it’s definitely for the betterment of the Middletown experience.”
Goshen resident Arleen Richards said the exhibition provides an opportunity for people to discover the spiritual and traditional side of Chinese culture.
“I think that a lot of people probably don’t know a lot about Chinese culture and Chinese history,” she said. “This event is a way for them to be exposed to the more religious, spiritual side of the culture.”
She added that it also helps visitors appreciate “the rich culture, authentic traditional culture of the Chinese people,” calling it “an actual opportunity for a lot of us… to learn about.”
Art that elevates the spirit
Musician James White said the paintings reminded him of some of history’s greatest sacred art.
“It’s like walking into the Sistine Chapel,” he said. “Instead of looking on the ceiling and feeling elevated, we’re seeing these beautiful pictures… You get a good feeling from it.”
“The highest standard is to help people remember why they’re here on Earth,” White said. “Remind them to connect with their true selves and really return home.”
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