East meets Mid-West:
Connecting Cultures through Art
Valentine’s artistry is a channel that allows her to deepen her cultural connections to and between her Chinese heritage and Midwestern roots. Through Performative Prose Valentine illuminates the way art has the power to connect cultures by sharing the stories behind the scrolls of her series “The Audacity to be Asian in Rural America: we owe you no apologies” that depicts the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
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MacRostie Art Center
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
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University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
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Lake Superior College
Duluth, Minnesota
Testimonials
“Nancy opened our event, the Rural Futures Summit, with a stunning keynote about her journey as an Chinese-American artist growing up in a small town and the ways her creative practice has explored her family lineage, social justice, and community. Her insights and honesty were eye-opening, candid, and inspiring to our audience of rural artists and leaders. I highly recommend Nancy as a speaker for events focused on community, social justice, creativity and self-development and growth - she commands presence, invites self-reflection, and folds in a unique and profound sense of humor that will engage and ground your community in the best way possible.”
“After hearing Nancy speak during a prior engagement, I knew that she would be the perfect speaker for our AAPI Month celebration lunch at our college, and she didn’t disappoint. Nancy’s story is not only inspirational, the messages and strength she conveys through her storytelling is powerful and moving. She is honestly raw and humble in a way that attendees were able to connect to parts of Nancy’s life story to their own, though they may have initially thought they had nothing in common. Her art, her voice and her emotion are powerful, inspiring and inviting.”
“Nancy presented an artist’s talk in conjunction with her exhibit at our library. I expected a lecture about medium, style, and artistic vision - the full-house audience in our library received all that and so much more. In addition to learning specific information about the artwork on display, we learned the meaning behind it, as Nancy wove together her family story, her personal experiences, her growth as an artist, and the dynamics of community relationships. I was impressed by the way she blended all of these aspects into a compelling presentation style where I learned about art and culture, and I also found myself relating to a wide variety of points she made during her talk, showing how she also blends the personal and the universal. In the end, I was impressed by Nancy as an artist AND as a speaker, and would be honored to host her again.”
“Nancy Valentine is an authentic and inspirational speaker. I had the joy of listening to her speak in conjunction with her art project, The Audacity to be Asian in Rural America: we owe you no apologies. Her presentation was heartfelt and those in attendance were moved by her stories. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your journey with us.”
“Nancy Valentine is an engaging and dynamic speaker who will open your understanding of race and culture. As a talented, thoughtful artist expressing both movement and character in her works, Valentine brings the power of art to bear on the pressing questions facing our communities and cultures.”