From May 13 to May 24, 2012, Confucius Institute at Troy University (CIT) organized Art Educators China Trip. The Trip was co-sponsored by Troy University and Confucius Institute Headquarters, Beijing, China, organized by CIT. As one of the cultural programs launched by CIT, the trip made it possible for Alabama artists and educators to feel China at aero distance.

The nine art educators in the trip are from all walks of life in Alabama. They are either working for real arts by painting, or managing a museum, or working at universities or schools, doing the art teaching or helping the students know the art in the world.

The art educators China Trip was highlighted in three parts:

I. City visits

In the trip, educators visitedShanghai, Suzhou, Xi'an and Beijing.

Shanghai is a global city, with influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport. It is a major financial center and the busiest container port in the world.It has been described as the "showpiece" of the booming economy of mainland China.

Often dubbed the "Venice of China", Suzhou has over 2,500 years of rich history, and relics of the past are abundant to this day. The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China.
As one of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, Xi'an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held the position under 13 important dynasties in Chinese history; Xi'an is also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army.

Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, and it has been the political center of China for centuries. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates, and its art treasures and universities have made it a center of culture and art in China.

Alabama art educators were astounded by the diverse features of those cities, they not only enjoyed the sightseeing but also had a great fun in exploring the city by tasting the local food and trying to communicate with local people.

II. Academic exchange (Suzhou University, Communication University of China)

The art educators visited two universities in China, Suzhou University (Suzhou, Jiangsu Province), and Communication University of China (Beijing).

Dr. Maryjo Cochran, Dean of College of Communication and Fine Arts at Troy University, respectively with Dean of Fine Arts, College of Suzhou University and Vice Chancellor of Communication University of China, discussed about the further possibilities of building a lasting relationship in education.

The partnership with Suzhou University could start with students that are new to teacher education (end of sophomore year); they will be allowed to participate in a cultural experience to China for 10-12 days. Toward the end of their teaching courses but before internship is allowed to participate in an immersion experience at Suzhou University for 3-6 weeks in the summer. Troy University part would like for the students to experience local secondary or elementary schools while participating in basic language or technology design courses in Suzhou.

With Communication University of China, Troy University would corporate in using online resources to develop and share ideas, presentations, short films, animation, or commercial development. Troy could provide opportunities across the State of Alabama in museums and galleries as well as exposure to various technologies. Troy University is encouraging students at CUC who speak English to take the Master Level Online courses.

The two universities in China responded the cooperation positively; they expressed their willingto adoptspecific procedures in future to make all the arts students benefit from the cooperation.

III. Pure art appreciation (HuoBaozhu workshop, Xi'an Tang Museum, Beijing Capital Museum, Hanban Headquarters)

Besides appreciating the city features and communicating with university authorities, the pure art appreciation, for art educators, were visiting a bronze sculpture workshop, museums as well as Confucius Institute Headquarters.

In the bronze sculpture workshop in Xi'an, Shannxi Province, the art educators were shown all the procedures of making a bronze sculpture. As Art bronzes today are cast using the very same process as that of ancient times. The high cost of a bronze sculpture is due to the many hours of hands-on-labor involved. After that, the art educators were taken to an exhibition hall where a lot of delicate Chinese culture featured art bronzes could took their breath away.

In museum visits in Xi'an and Beijing, the art educators appreciated Chinese ancient paintings, sculptures, porcelains and any other things that Chinese history could leave for today and future. Beside standing and looking, they were offered chances to sit and practice brush calligraphy in Tang Dynasty Art Museum. With the excitement of holding the brush with ink in their first time, they wrote down some simple Chinese characters and would like to take them home to show off.

The visit to Confucius Institute Headquarters benefited the group a lot. They were introduced the Confucius Institute development in the world, the characteristic art in Chinese history as well as all kinds of textbooks. The art group also enjoyed the zodiac animals they belonged to according to the year they were born.

The China Trip builds a bridge for the appreciation, inspiration and friendship between Alabama artists and Chinese people. Dr. Xu, Director of Confucius Institute at Troy University is busying with another China Trip, for more American People to get to know China.