Brush & Identity: Discovering Chinese Calligraphy Through Your Name

MAA is Excited to Announce the Summer Workshop

with Claire Rodan

June 6, 2026
1pm - 4pm 

At Oasis Learning Center & Gallery 

Registration for MAA members and their guests open on April 25, and for nonmembers on May 16, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Montgomery Art Association, in collaboration with the Global Mandarin Academy Foundation, is hosting Dr. Claire Rodan’s Chinese Calligraphy Workshop this June!

No previous experience in calligraphy, Chinese language, or brushwork is required—just curiosity, creativity, and an openness to exploring a centuries-old art form. Dr. Rodan will introduce participants to the beauty of traditional brush writing through the eight foundational strokes and guide each person to write their own Chinese name.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the historical evolution of Chinese script

• Recognize and write the 8 foundational calligraphy strokes

• Apply proper stroke order and structure in traditional characters

• Receive and understand the meaning of their personalized Chinese name

• Write their name in traditional calligraphy using brush and ink

Highlights

• Beginner-friendly—no prior experience needed

• Hands-on practice with traditional materials

• A blend of cultural insight and artistic technique

• A personal calligraphy keepsake with your own Chinese name

Materials Provided by Instructor

• Chinese calligraphy brushes

• Ink and ink dish

• Practice paper and final high-quality calligraphy paper

• Handouts on strokes, stroke order, and character evolution

What to Bring

• Comfortable clothing suitable for ink work

• Snacks and drinks to stay energized

Fee

Workshop Location: Oasis Learning Center, Macy’s Home Store (2nd floor) 7125 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817 

Directions: Click this link for Directions to Oasis Learning Center & Gallery

Workshop Instructor

Dr. Claire Rodan is a scholar-artist and Chinese calligrapher based in Maryland. Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, she developed an early passion for brush writing and has continued to deepen her practice through traditional training and cultural study. Her calligraphy blends classical technique with literary sensitivity and expressive visual storytelling.

Dr. Rodan has incorporated Chinese calligraphy into her language and culture courses at numerous institutions, including Indiana University Bloomington, the University of Maryland, the National Foreign Language Center, and the Defense Language Institute. Early in her career, she volunteered at the East Asian Culture Center while in graduate school and presented a joint calligraphy exhibition at one of the art galleries in Bloomington.

As both an artist and published author, she approaches calligraphy as a living art that connects movement, meaning, and cultural memory. Her workshops introduce essential brush techniques, the eight foundational strokes, and the evolution of Chinese characters—guiding participants to create thoughtful and expressive calligraphic works of their own.

Register  by clicking the registration button on this page. Registration for members and their guests will be open during April 25 through June 5, 2026. Registration for nonmembers will be open during May 16 through June 5, 2026

Questions:  Please contact Rachael Rice and Lily Kak if you have any questions about this workshop.