March 2021 GARDEN NEWS Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society Newsletter

In this issue: Spotlight on Joanie Xuejiao Zhang, Board Member of MCFGS and • MCFGGS Board Member Member of the Chinese Advisory Committee Spotlight - Joanie Xuejiao

Zhang • Portrait of Master Lei Yixin Joanie Xuejiao Zhang is a certified food and nutrition scientist. She came by Linda Mealey-Lohmann from China to Minnesota for graduate education in nutrition science from UMN in 2011. She has been actively involved in local community activities • Monthly Feature: Donor and taken lead roles in MN China Friendship Garden Society, Twin Cities Wall Groundbreakers Chinese Dance Center, Minnesota Chinese Commerce Association, and Institute of Food Technology-MN. She has her passion in promoting Chinese • Garden Symbols culture and US-China friendships. In her spare time, she enjoys playing traditional musical instrument Guzheng, Latin Dance and painting. • Garden Updates

International Sculptor Master Lei Yixin Has Long Connection in MN

Master Lei Yixin has been a long-time friend of members of the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society (MCFGS) and Minnesota. Master Lei lives in Changsha ( Province, China) - St. Paul’s Sister City, and frequently visits the U.S. and Minnesota. Master Lei is the creator of the beautiful “Meditation” limestone sculpture at Phalen Regional Park, installed in June 2006 as part of Minnesota Rocks! International Stone Carving Symposium envisioned and produced by Public Art Saint Paul. Be sure to visit this beautiful piece of art during your next visit to the China Friendship Garden.

From left to right: Councilmember Dan Bostrom, Representative Betty McCullom, Mayor Chris Coleman, Christine Podas-Larson (Founder and Head of Public Arts St. Paul at the time and now Advisor to MCFGS)

In 2007, then-MCFGS President Linda Mealey-Lohmann visited Master Lei at his studio in Changsha. Master Lei is known for his large-scale works of public art, including this beautiful sculpture in the heart of Changsha. This sculpture is a symbol of Changsha; the woman’s flowing hair represents the Liuyang River, a tributary of the , that runs through Changsha, much like the Mississippi River runs through the Twin Cities. Other works of life-size bronze sculptures by Master Lei can be seen along Pedestrian Street.

Left: Symbol of Changsha by Master Lei

Right: Master Lei with his Street Vendor Sculpture (2007)

International Changsha Sculptor Master Lei Yixin (continued)

Master Lei has become internationally famous as the creator and sculptor of the 30-foot granite Martin Luther King Jr. Stone of Hope Memorial in Washington, D.C. He is pictured here in his Changsha studio in 2007 with a mock-up of the sculpture with his wife Rocky, and at the Stone of Hope Memorial in D.C. in 2011 after its grand opening.

Left: Master Lei and his Stone of Hope Sculpture in D.C.

Right: Master Lei with wife Rocky in his Changsha Studio (2007)

In 2012, Master Lei met with members of the MCFGS and Mayor Chris Coleman to discuss plans for the China Friendship Garden at Phalen Park. Master Lei played a key role in the development of the China Friendship Garden, the establishment of the Phalen Park – Yang- hu Wetland Park’s sister relationship in 2015, and the sister-city gift to St. Paul from Changsha of the Xiang Jiang Pavilion in 2018.

Left: St. Paul Mayor Coleman with Master Lei

Right: Master Lei holding photos of his sculptures

Master Lei met with members of MCFGS and the St. Paul City delegations during two trips to Changsha, in 2015 and 2019. The highlight of the 2015 trip was the signing of the Sister-Park Agreement between Phalen Regional Park and Yanghu Wetland Park. The Delegation toured Master Lei’s international art symposium and had a group photo taken in front of one of Master Lei’s new sculptures. The Delegation also visited the famous Aiwan Pavilion, the sister-Pavilion to Phalen Park’s Xiang Jiang Pavilion. 2015 Delegation MCFGS Members included Linda Mealey-Lohmann, Bill Zajicek, Brenda Fong, and Romi Slowiak.

Left: 2015 Delegation with Master Lei’s sculpture at Yanghu Wetland Park

Right: 2015 Delegation at Changsha’s Aiwan Pavilion

The highlight of the 2019 trip was the official unveiling of the Peanuts Statues (sister-city gift from St. Paul and MCFGS) at the Yanghu Wetland Park Museum. 2019 Delegation MCFGS Members included Caroline Hsiao Van, Linda Mealey-Lohmann, Bill Zajicek, May Warpeha, Chen Zhou, and Romi Slowiak. Master Lei worked with Yanghu Wetlands Park to host this event. Master Lei also gave the Delegation a tour of his new art studio, with its iconic jaguar sculpture. Master Lei’s new art studio (2019) MCFGS is grateful for Master Lei’s friend- ship and support over so many years. MCFGS Members pose with Master Lei (2019) —> International Changsha Sculptor Master Lei Yixin (continued) The 2019 Delegation was led by MN Senator Foung Hawj, St. Paul City Councilmember Dai Thao, and MCFGS President Linda Mealey-Lohmann. MCFGS dele- gation members were Mary Warpeha, Bill Zajicek, Romi Slowiak, Caroline Hsiao Van, Chen Zhou, Ying Chu-Yang-Heu, Tony Gaoxiang Yang, Dona Yang, Vallen Her, Francis Thao, and Ciecileanne Nuj Zoo Lis. Other delegation members included Trista MatasCastillo, Bill Fleming, Charles Vu, Brett Hussong, Nick Cusick, Todd Hurley, Ilean Kao Ly Her, Paul Yang, Dr. Christianna Mai Hang, Dave Li, Cy Thao, Dr. Mai See Moua, Bai James. St. Paul community members of the delegation included John Kusske, Yang Chu-Yang-Heu, Doug Van, Jennette Thao, Chia Wam Moua, Chuevang Xiong, La Her Xiong, Nao Ying Vang, Pang Her Vang, Keuky Chu-Yang-Heu, Maysong Heu, St. Paul Delegation at Yanghu Wetlands Park in 2019 Pang Doua Fang, and Mary Heu.

Each month we will feature some of our Groundbreakers. Thank you for your support!

Donation $1,000-$4,999: Vincent Mar & Lena Mar, Jim McDonough, Christina Deng Morrison & Mark Morrison, Bee & Nor Pau Mouagiaxeng, Dr. Samuel & Virginia Ng, Sharon & Lilian Niu, Chongge Paajyee & Khu Xiong Thao, William & Caroleotte Pesek, Christine Podas-Larson & Kent Larson, Lin Qian & Xiaosong Xiao, Xiaohong Qiu & Yong Lu, Joy Sha & Janie Sha, Yudong Shen, Patti Yin & Scott Simpson, Jenny Sun & Michael M. Macaulay, Kaimay Yuen Terry, Youa Pao Thao, Ted Nhia Toua & Suzanne Thao, Francis Vaam Thoj & Jeannette Her Thao, Handong Tu & Xiaoyan Hu, Ganying Jeff Vang

Donation $200-$499: Julie Smendzuik-O’Brien & William O’Brien, Haitao Wu, Zhaohui Wu & Yuhong Yang, Zhihong Yang, Mr. & Mrs. Zhiyi Xiao, Niandong & Xingzhou Zhou, A Plymouth Couple

Donation under $200: Peter and Linda Jessen-Howard, Alfred & Amy Ku, Laura Kuhn, Joanne Laird, Bo Li, Chou & Shao Li, Jinyu Li, Pei Li, Jialing Lin & Lili Ji, Xia Lin, Rose Ling, Lei Liu, Shufeng Liu, Yunfeng Liu, Beverly Lohmann,Thomas & Barbara Lundgren, Ning Ma, Shareen Mann, I-Fei & Cathy Ouyang, Damaris Perezramirez, Charles Petersen, Xuemei Piao, Richard & Michele Seesel, Donald & Sharon Severson, Zhendong Song, Feng Tang, Patrick Tang, Y.C. & Helen Tang, Frank & Shirley Ungar, Teresa & Raymond Voelker, Sho Vue, Iris Wang, Wenjuan Wang, Yingzhi Wang, Weiwei Xie, Mingyong Xiong

Garden Updates or Opportunities: Garden Symbols on Xiang Jiang Pavilion

WE NEED YOUR HELP — YOU CAN CHOOSE TO: 祥云 = Auspicious Clouds

1. Contribute to completing and paying off expenses for PHASE I. The Ancients believed that the immortals stepped on clouds to 2. Then PHASE II can begin: the Hmong Plaza, Moon enter this world. This cloud pattern represents the clouds of the Gate with Donor Wall, Moon Bridge - contribute to this. immortals; brings good fortune and happiness. 3. Leave a Legacy: Volunteer.

Be part of the garden, we have volunteer opportunities.

Make a donation: http://mnchinagarden.org/donation-options/ Capital Campaign Video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?app=desktop&v=zZ1GPV5iXZo

Individuals who make donations of $1,000 or more will have their name on the website and Garden Donor Wall as GROUNDREAKERS!

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The Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society—2020-2021 Board of Directors

Bill Zajicek (President), Chen Zhou (Vice-President), Linda Mealey-Lohmann (Secretary), Ken Lau (Treasurer), N. Walter Graff, Barbara Harrison, Snowdon Herr, Joyce C.Y. Yuan Hsiao, Romi Slowiak, Mary Warpeha, Joanie Xuejiao Zhang, Wang-Yu Vu (Newsletter Editor)

Please reach out to us: Email: [email protected] Website: http://mnchinagarden.org Facebook Pages: Minnesota China Friendship Garden | Friends of St. Paul-Changsha Friendship Garden at Phalen Park Instagram: mnchinafriendshipgarden