Please join us for a casual talk with Teachers College alumna and 2025 Myers awardee Yutong Chloe who will give an overview and gallery tour of "A Glimpse: Serendipity Across Cultures".  This exhibit explores the serendipitous connections formed through fleeting glimpses of life behind half-open doors in rural China’s hutong alleys. The work captures the tension between concealment and revelation, memory and destiny, and the profound beauty of shared humanity. The life-sized, lithographic print of a traditional Chinese gate, reimagined as a fusion of Chinese and New York architectural elements, serves as a physical and metaphorical threshold, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of cultural memory, serendipity, and the universal experience of crossing boundaries—both literal and figurative. Yutong Chloe Wu's project aims to resonate deeply with the diverse community at Teachers College, particularly Chinese students who form a vital portion of our campus and may find a sense of cultural connection and shared memory in the work. At the same time, the universal theme of the “door” as a symbol of transition, opportunity, and connection will speak to a broader audience, including those familiar with the iconic doors of New York City.

We will invite viewers to share their stories and memories with one or some doors they encountered -- either orally or written on sticky notes.  Red rice paper will be distributed to exchange stories, with words of fortune given by the artist to participants to place on their doors at home.

Bio

Yutong Chloe Wu was born in China and is based in New York City.  After earning a BS in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin, she came to Teachers College to further her study of Art and Art. She served as the vice president of the Teachers College National Art Education Association where she led a group of future art educators and earned her Masters in Art Education in May 2025. Chloe was awarded the 2025 Myers award for A Glimpse: Serendipity Across Cultures.

Chloe’s artworks have been exhibited at numerous galleries, including the Macy Gallery of Teachers College for Together: Ways of Being (2024) and the Spring 2025 Studio Works Exhibition. A lithographer, painter, and multimedia artist, Chloe explores the boundaries between the personal and the collective. She has taught art to students in kindergarten to high school. Her museum experiences, including internships at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the New York City Museum Educator Roundtable (NYCMER), have deepened her commitment to creating art that engages diverse audiences and fosters meaningful dialogue.

Writes Chloe, “My artistic practice is a dance between rationality and emotion. Printmaking, with its meticulous process, allows me to tell deeply personal stories that resonate universally.”

Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome. If you are not a member or affiliated member of Teachers College, Columbia University, please RSVP using this link with your your interest; indicate your name and e-mail so that a confirmation can be sent.

Where: 305 Russell / Offit Gallery