A roundup of SVA student and alumni projects, and College and New York City events, commemorating the Lunar New Year holiday in 2025.
The Lunar New Year marks spring’s arrival and the year’s beginning on the lunisolar calendar, and celebrations of the occasion in East and Southeast Asian cultures have grown globally as diasporas carry on the traditions. This week at the School of Visual Arts, students at the College will gather to celebrate at events like the Cantonese Club’s red pocket-making gathering (Wednesday, January 29, 6:30pm) and the SVA International Student Office and SVA Student Health and Counseling Services’ Lunar New Year Celebration (Thursday, January 30, 5:30pm), both at SVA Library West, 133/141 West 21st Street.
While Lunar New Year is often celebrated by gathering with friends and family, honoring ancestors, enjoying food, and participating in traditions, many in the SVA community also take time during the holiday to make art featuring the Chinese zodiac. Whether it’s designing a poster for the International Student Office’s annual Lunar New Year Poster competition or collaborating on a new collection in partnership with a luxury handbag brand, SVA students and alumni have put together thoughtful, exciting, and creative projects in anticipation of the Year of the Snake—check out a roundup of their 2025 Lunar New Year work below.
The SVA International Student Office called for poster submissions celebrating the Year of the Snake earlier this month, and first place winner BFA Illustration student Shiyan Chen responded with a playful illustration of a red snake tied in a prosperity knot. BFA Illustration student Sitian Yang won second place (below, left), and third was a tie between MFA Computer Arts student Peiling Yu (below, center) and BFA Animation student Anvadya Khatri (below, right).
BFA Comics and BFA Illustration hosted their annual Bring in the New Year student poster competition as well, announcing BFA Illustration student Ruijie Yang as the winner for her piece, drawing inspiration from memories of Chinese New Year flower markets. Honorable mentions went to entries by BFA Illustration students Phoebe O Chou and Emily Xinya Wang, and BFA Comics student Ben Young.
Jen Yoon (MFA 2024 Illustration as Visual Essay; BFA 2019 Illustration) shared a beautiful set of phone wallpapers on her Instagram, which can be screenshot on her Instagram story highlights for personal use.
In partnership with the French luxury brand Moynat, Yiting Nan (BFA 2022 Design) designed a limited-edition collection celebrating the Lunar New Year, which included several variations of bag charms in the shape of a Hulu (gourd), a symbol in Chinese culture that represents longevity and well-being.
Nan also created a series of motion animations to accompany the campaign that employ motifs like the double-coin knot, firecrackers, and lanterns to capture the spirit of Chinese New Year.
A playful Riso-printed calendar by Angel Tianying Yu (MFA 2024 Computer Arts 2024; BFA 2022 Illustration 2022) is part of an ongoing series by the artist, preceded by a Year of the Dragon calendar in 2024 and Year of the Rabbit calendar in 2023.
Fengyi Ye (BFA 2023 Illustration), who won the International Student Office’s 2023 Lunar New Year poster competition, has a new work, celebrating the Year of the Snake. Like her 2023 poster, its aesthetic was inspired by Chinese paper cutting.
Handowin Xuan He (MFA 2021 Visual Narrative) created a WeChat Red Pocket Cover for the new year.
Last but not least, artist James Jean (BFA 2001 Illustration) designed the 2025 Year of the Snake bottle and packaging for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Looking for ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year? Celebrations are taking place all across New York City this week and next:
- Think!Chinatown is hosting a series of events, including their Lantern Artist-in-Residency project reveal on Wednesday, January 29, on Mott Street, and a Mahjong party on Sunday, February 16, at their studio at 1 Pike Street.
- Enjoy lion dance performances, free Chinese calligraphy workshops, and more at the Lunar New Year Celebration at The Seaport, 96 South Street, Saturday, February 1, 12:00 – 5:00pm.
- W.O.W. Project is hosting art builds, a confetti clean up, and a lantern-lit historical walk honoring the activists and stewards of Chinatown. See a complete list of programs here.
- The Glow Cultural Center presents Peking opera, a parade showcasing traditional attire, and Lion dance and face-changing performances at the Glow Cultural Center, 133-29 41st Avenue, Queens. Free. Sunday, February 2, 11:30am – 4:00pm.
- Pearl River Mart’s annual Lunar New Year celebration will take place at the Chelsea Market, 15th and 16th Streets between 9th and 10th Avenue, Sunday, February 9, 11:30am – 5:00pm. Stop by their flagship store at 452 Broadway on Wednesday, January 29, for a free tea tasting and lion dance performance.
- And of course, don’t miss the parades and festivals! The 27th New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival takes place Wednesday, January 29, 11:00am – 3:30pm, at Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Chrystie and Grand Streets, and the 27th Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival will be happening on Sunday, February 16. The parade starts at 1:00pm, and the festival and booths are open 11:30am – 3:30pm on Bayard Street between Mulberry and Mott Streets.
Check out more events on Better Chinatown’s Instagram here, and have a happy Lunar New Year!