Connecting Cultures Through Art

Nancy XiáoRong Valentine (she/her) is a Chinese-American artist living and making a life in rural West Central Minnesota.

With natural artistic inclination, self-determination and children’s craft-quality watercolor supplies as the only tools in her bag, Valentine signed a lease with the Kaddatz Artist Lofts where she self-taught and began to pursue painting. In the spring of 2017, Valentine was awarded a Career Development Grant from the Lakes Region Arts Council which allowed her the means to acquire professional grade materials and the freedom to create with conviction.

Valentine views her artistry as a channel to deepen her cultural connections to and between her Chinese heritage and Midwestern roots. Her creative process begins and ends with intention, resulting in conceptually complex visual stories woven with nuance and symbolism. Her expressive stylized brushwork is inspired by Chinese calligraphy and meant to evoke empathy.

In May 2021, Nancy created “The Audacity to be Asian in Rural America: we owe you no apologies,” a series of 12 watercolor and Chinese ink scroll paintings on rice paper that visually tells the story of the Hao family’s ( -Nancy’s mom’s side- ) Chinese American immigrant experience in rural West Central Minnesota, as a part of Artists Respond: Equitable Rural Futures, a project of Springboard for the Arts supported by the Blandin Foundation. This artwork series is currently on tour, exhibiting in rural places and non-traditional gallery spaces across the state of Minnesota.

Through Artist Talks, lectures, and presentations, Valentine shares the profound family stories rolled in the scrolls of her Audacity series. Through “Performative Prose” (a term she originated) Nancy connects with audience members in a uniquely engaging way.

Reviews:
“ 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.” - Dr. David Gore Ph.D., Department Head of Communication, University of Minnesota Duluth

“… 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.” - Matthew Rosendahl, Library Director, Kathryn A. Martin Library

Handheld or lapel microphones are preferred for audiences and crowds larger than 30 attendees.
Ability to show slide deck (projector or television screen) compatible with an HDMI input preferred.