A Decade of Growth, A Forest of Inspiration:

The CCACC Art Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary with the opening of its special exhibition, From Trees to Forest, on July 11, 2026. More than 120 guests—including Chinese and Western artists, gallery donors, volunteers, community members, and art enthusiasts—attended the opening reception to celebrate this important milestone in the gallery's history.

The event began with welcoming remarks from Ms. Rita S. Lewi, Executive Director of Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) and Director of CCACC Art Gallery. Reflecting on the gallery's journey, she noted that the Art Gallery was founded ten years ago with a vision of inspiring people through art, connecting the community, and fostering cultural exchange. Its growth and achievements over the past decade, she said, have been made possible through the dedication and support of artists, donors, gallery committee members, staff, volunteers, and countless community supporters.

Ms. Lewi expressed special appreciation to the members of the Art Gallery Committee— Professor Feng-Sham, Dr. Kit-Keung Kan, and artist Xiaosheng Bi—for their artistic leadership and commitment throughout the years. She also thanked the generous donors whose support enabled the gallery to upgrade its LED video wall and audio system, creating a more engaging and professional exhibition space for both artists and visitors.

The anniversary exhibition, From Trees to Forest, reflects the idea that while a single tree takes years to grow, a thriving forest is created through the strength of many trees growing together. In the same spirit, the success of CCACC Art Gallery has been built through the collective contributions of artists, volunteers, supporters, and community partners over the past decade.

To mark this special occasion, the gallery invited artists who had previously exhibited at the CCACC Art Gallery over the past ten years to return with representative works for this meaningful "homecoming exhibition." The exhibition features a diverse collection of artworks, including traditional Chinese ink landscapes, oil paintings, the popular Birch Forest series, expressive ink paintings, and tree-themed installation art. Through a variety of artistic styles and media, the participating artists explore themes of growth, resilience, connection, and the enduring vitality symbolized by trees.

Adding another dimension to the exhibition, outstanding works from three prominent photography clubs in the Greater Washington area are being showcased on the gallery's large LED video wall, creating an immersive viewing experience that blends traditional photography with contemporary digital presentation.

Established under Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC), a nonprofit organization serving the community for more than four decades, the CCACC Art Gallery has long served as a bridge for cultural exchange through the arts. While celebrating the richness of Chinese artistic traditions, the gallery also welcomes artists and visitors of all cultural backgrounds and ages, providing an inclusive space where creativity, dialogue, and cultural understanding can flourish.

Over the past ten years, the gallery has presented more than 70 exhibitions featuring established artists, emerging talents, and community art enthusiasts from both Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Its exhibitions have showcased traditional Chinese art forms such as ink painting, calligraphy, paper cutting, and wood carving, alongside contemporary works in oil painting, drawing, photography, and mixed media, creating opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds to share their work and engage with one another.

The gallery's continued success also reflects the long-term vision and leadership of Ms. Lewi, who has guided its development since its founding. Believing that art transcends language and cultural boundaries, she has worked to connect artists, volunteers, and community partners while establishing the gallery as one of the Greater Washington area's distinctive nonprofit art spaces.

Throughout the years, the CCACC Art Gallery has earned the recognition and support of elected officials from the City of Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, and the State of Maryland. Many local and state leaders have attended the gallery's exhibitions and cultural events, recognizing its contributions to preserving Asian cultural heritage, promoting arts education, and advancing multicultural understanding within the community.

The CCACC Art Gallery is open to the public free of charge every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. As part of the anniversary celebration, the gallery will also host a free Paper Cutting Workshop on September 12, led by artist Shanye Huang, offering community members an opportunity to experience the beauty of this traditional art form firsthand.

A decade is both a milestone and a new beginning. More than simply commemorating ten years of exhibitions, From Trees to Forest celebrates the artists, volunteers, supporters, and community members whose dedication has shaped the gallery's journey.

From a single tree to a flourishing forest, the CCACC Art Gallery remains committed to connecting people through art, fostering cultural understanding, and supporting artists for years to come. As it enters its second decade, the gallery looks forward to continuing its mission of enriching the community through creativity, inclusion, and cultural exchange.

Written by CCACC Art Gallery