Seattle Chinese Garden Society Programs
The Garden will serve as a magnet to draw in Seattle's residents to learn more about their Pacific Rim neighbors and thereby establish closer ties through knowledge, appreciation, and understanding. From its early ties with China in 1979, formally through the Washington State China Relations Council, Seattle has been recognized throughout the State and the US for its leading role in establishing and expanding US-China relations through business, trade, cultural, and educational initiatives. The SCG is an embodiment of the 30 years of trust, respect and close collaboration between Washington State and China and, in particular, between the sister cities of Seattle and Chongqing. This Garden will reflect the beauty of a Sichuan style Chinese Garden, the only one of its kind outside of China. It will engage local, regional and international visitors in the richness of Chinese culture and enhance Seattles important position on the Pacific Rim. It will be a center for fostering friendships, understanding, and economic partnerships that will benefit the entire region for future generations.
Docent Tour Program
Seattle Chinese Garden Society has over 20 trained docents who lead free public tours (the second Saturday of each month, March - October), as well as privately arranged tours of the Garden, which is situated on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus. The first part of the program is held in the Judge Warren and Nobie Chan Education Center and includes a slide presentation and discussion of the significance of gardens in Chinese culture and the particular characteristics of the Sichuan-style Garden to be built. Then the tour moves outside to the South Seattle Community College Arboretum to overlook the Garden Site. The tour also includes a discussion of the Song Mei Pavilion and describes the plants for the 4.6 acre Garden. Over 200 individuals participated in the docent tours during the past year.
Hard Hat Tours
SCGS provides Hard Hat Tours designed to introduce interested visitors to the Seattle Chinese Garden project. The emphasis of the tours is to provide a good overview of the project and give an up-close understanding of the construction to date. During the past year, over 200 individuals, including local corporate leaders, Chinese Government officials, private foundation representatives, and others participated in Hard Hat Tours of the construction progress.
Educational Programs in 2012
In 2012 SCG has planned a variety of educational programs, including: a Lantern Festival Celebration (at the end of Chinese New Year), minority cultures in Sichuan, rebuilding in Sichuan after the earthquake; introductory classes in Tai Qi, Mah jong, painting and calligraphy;introductory flower arranging; "Chinese corner" for Mandarin students to gather and converse;bamboo festival; peony festival;martial arts demonstrations; summer night market;chrysanthemum festival;and possibly a Chinese movie series.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
The most recent success if raising the final funds to complete the construction of the Knowing the Spring Courtyard, the first and entry courtyard into the Garden. Completion of this courtyard and the opening of the Garden gate in February 2011 to the public will be the necessary platform of support from which SCGS can launch the construction of the Garden's remaining structures, which include an 85 foot tower, a lotus pond, a tea house, and a gathering together hall. Support is appreciated and needed from individuals, private foundations, and government entities in order for SCGS to complete the bentire Garden within five years.