OUR STORY

Bridging Heritage and Modern Life

Modern Six Arts was born in Calgary, founded by a group of artists, educators, and cultural practitioners living here. Though we come from diverse backgrounds, we are united by a shared passion for Eastern arts and contemporary life.

In this era of rapid digitalization, we believe that authentic human connection, physical participation, and the perception of beauty remain irreplaceable cultural cores.

Through the paths of tea, incense, floral art, painting, calligraphy, poetry, and the guqin, we invite people to return to themselves—making art not just an object to be observed, but a practice naturally integrated into daily life.

Why "Modern Six Arts"?

The "Six Arts" originate from the ancient Chinese cultivation of a scholar-gentleman—Ritual, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics—symbolizing the integration of mind and body through comprehensive study.

Modern Six Arts is not a mere replica of history, but a reinterpretation of this spirit of cultivation through a contemporary lens. We have chosen Tea, Incense, Flowers, Painting, Writing, and the Guqin as our modern six arts because these disciplines naturally enter daily life, connecting our senses, emotions, and inner worlds.

They are more than just skills; they are a way of life:

• Teaching us to be still, focused, perceptive, and creative.
• Helping us return to ourselves amidst the busyness and build cultural connections through exchange.

In a world of AI and rapid change, what remains irreplaceable is human perception, thought, and creation. Modern Six Arts focuses on the experience, transformation, and connection within the process—allowing art to become a living, fluid practice where every participant finds their own rhythm.

Our Mission & Values

Art in Life · Life in Art

We believe art is not an unreachable palace, but a practice that can be integrated into the everyday.

Calligraphy becomes a festive blessing; the aesthetic of ancient paintings informs modern style; a daily cup of tea finds its place in the rhythm of life; and the sound of the guqin leads one back to inner peace amidst the noise.

Balance of Depth and Engagement

We value the deep heritage of culture and cherish our connection with the community.

From quiet, focused experiences to open workshops and public events, we invite people to approach culture at different levels.

From Experience to Community, to a Cultural Ecosystem

In an age of high automation, we place greater value on human companionship, creation, and connection. Culture is not just content to be copied, but a relationship that flows between people.

We believe cultural growth comes from long-term accumulation—nourishing individuals through art and carrying culture through community.

Team

Meet Our Instructors

Floral Art & Tea Ceremony Instructor

Melody Zhang

Melody is a dedicated practitioner of Chinese floral arts and tea ceremony aesthetics, having studied under several renowned masters from mainland China and Taiwan: • Floral Arts: Mentored by Professor Li Lishu, a celebrated Taiwanese floral master. • Tea Ceremony: Mentored by Professor Xu Guoxi of Dezhizhai. • Tea Evaluation: Mentored by Teacher Lin Yanling. • Guqin: Mentored by Tan Peng, a literati Guqin player and Qigong master. As a Senior Teacher at Xi’an Little Tea People Education and their North American partner, Melody has curated numerous floral and tea exhibitions across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Beyond her primary disciplines, she also explores Tea Pharmacy and the Art of Incense (Xiangdao), continuously deepening her personal cultivation. Currently, she is the founder of PetalCha (Yingxin Studio), where she focuses on teaching Chinese floral arts, tea ceremonies, and Guqin. By harmonizing flowers, tea, incense, and music, she integrates traditional Chinese aesthetics into contemporary life. Her mission is to share the beauty of tea spaces and tea gatherings, helping people awaken their five senses, connect with nature, and discover the profound strength of life.

Guqin Instructor

Kongkong

Trained under Master Yuan Yiqiong, Master Yin Zhen, and Master Yuan Pei, Kongkong integrates traditional Guqin techniques with the philosophies of Qi (energy) and the Study of Mind (Xinxue). His practice emphasizes the unity of form and spirit, using sound to guide the flow of inner energy. His playing style evokes the profound tranquility of mountains and rivers, honoring the aesthetics of harmony and stillness. With ten years of teaching experience, Kongkong seamlessly blends artistic practice with self-cultivation. He guides his students to play in a state of relaxation and silence, using the instrument to nurture the heart. Under his mentorship, learning this ancient instrument transcends mere musical performance, becoming a conscious aesthetic exploration of the art of living.

Calligraphy & Poetry Instructor

Xiaoci

A former senior automotive media professional who worked with world-leading international advertising agencies, Xiaoci is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering at the University of Calgary. Her journey in calligraphy began under the guidance of Master Zhang Lin. Though the shifts of life caused her to set down her brush several times, her mentor’s teachings and artistic insights eventually returned to her like a boomerang—striking a chord and revealing answers that had been waiting for her all along. Over time, she found herself deeply immersed in and nourished by the soul of this ancient art. Now, Xiaoci has returned to her ink and brush, hosting calligraphy and Chinese culture salons at the University of Calgary and within the local community. She is dedicated to creating immersive experiences that allow more people to appreciate the profound heritage and philosophical nuances of Chinese calligraphy. For Xiaoci, calligraphy is more than a personal practice; it is a bridge for mutual inspiration and shared growth. She believes that while art traces back thousands of years, it truly flourishes when it continues to flow and evolve through us today.

Traditional Chinese Painting Instructor

Jamie Zhang

Born into an artistic family, Jamie has been painting since childhood. She was professionally trained at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing and later taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. After moving to the U.S., she held multiple solo exhibitions and served as a guest lecturer on Chinese art traditions at Rice University and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. After settling in Canada, Jamie chose to step back from the professional art world to focus on her family. She began teaching weekend classes, discovering that art serves as a powerful medium for relaxation and healing for her students. Inspired by the vibrant creativity of the children she teaches, Jamie has since dedicated herself to art education. Today, Jamie paints for her own pleasure. She defines herself not as an artist, but as a teacher. She finds profound peace and fulfillment in a simple, carefree life dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creative minds.

Incense Ceremony Instructor

Joining Soon

Cross-Cultural Coordinator & Cultural Ambassador

Limin

Raised in Taiwan and educated in Germany, Limin spent many years living and working abroad, specializing in Translation and Intercultural Studies. Her extensive international experience has given her a profound awareness of her position between cultures—a role that allows her to connect worlds while navigating the inherent solitude that comes with it. After moving to Canada, Limin came to realize that culture is not just an identity label, but a practice to be shared in daily life. She is passionate about building cultural bridges and excels at streamlining processes and coordinating people and resources in complex environments. Through the gentle yet authentic mediums of art and culture, Limin strives to facilitate steady progress and recreate meaningful emotional connections between people.

Strategic Advisor

Mingying

"Food is best in Guangdong." I am a second-generation immigrant from Guangdong, a land with a long and rich tradition of food therapy. I founded ChiHerb (知甘阁), a natural food therapy brand in Canada, eight years ago. I am passionate about natural, high-quality medicinal and edible crops, light medicinal cuisine, and herbal teas. For many years, I have collaborated with numerous Chinese and Western TCM practitioners and clinics in Vancouver and Calgary, adapting my approach to the times, places, and individuals. I am dedicated to applying the wisdom of Chinese food therapy to daily life overseas, developing a harmonious world of food therapy with friends from different ethnic backgrounds. Simultaneously, I am a martial arts enthusiast and a mother of two children with autism. In recent years, I have been committed to public welfare activities for families with special needs, running martial arts classes, arts and crafts workshops, and parent-child tea parties for children with special needs. I hope to help parents and children in these families improve their physical and mental health through various means.

Board Director and Secretary/Treasurer

Fay Qian

**Fay Qian** serves as **Board Director and Secretary/Treasurer** of the **Modern Six Arts Culture Institute**, bringing a strong interdisciplinary background spanning psychology, business strategy, and cultural governance. She holds a **Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto** and an **MBA with a focus on board governance and organizational leadership**. Fay has served in board and advisory capacities with organizations including **Calgary Corporate Challenge (UCAA)**, **Lunchbox Theatre**, and **The Shakespeare Company**, contributing to governance, strategic planning, and organizational sustainability. Professionally, Fay has extensive experience across **entrepreneurial and innovation-driven environments**, **Crown corporations**, and **executive search**, where she has worked closely with senior leadership on talent strategy, transformation, and long-term impact. Her work bridges creative sectors and institutional systems, with a particular interest in building resilient, values-driven organizations that support arts, culture, and community development.

Creative Professional in Graphic Design & Automotive Media

Sean Qiao

With nearly 20 years of experience, Sean Qiao is a versatile creative specializing in graphic design and automotive photography. His career took root in Beijing, where he developed comprehensive VI systems and design frameworks for prominent brands and magazines. Sean's deep-seated passion for cars led him to a long and successful career in automotive media. He has led design teams to craft the visual identities of major publications, constantly innovating layouts for the modern age. As a photographer and videographer, he crafts tailored visual narratives that capture the distinct personality of every vehicle he shoots. Sean believes that design and lens-based media share a common goal: to bridge the gap between logic and creativity, using visual language to tell a compelling story.