About AACA
A group of artists, teachers, and community builders sharing Asian cultural traditions across Utah since 2019.
How It Started
AACA grew out of a simple idea: that the artists and practitioners who had brought their traditions from China and across Asia to Utah should have a place to teach, exhibit, and perform together. What started as informal painting sessions and small community gatherings became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019.
The founding group included calligraphers, painters, martial artists, and musicians — people who had trained for decades in their respective arts and wanted to pass those skills on, not just within the Asian community, but to anyone in Utah willing to pick up a brush, learn a form, or sit down for a meal together.
Today, AACA runs regular classes in calligraphy, Chinese painting, Baguazhang, and Tai Chi at the Visual Art Institute in South Salt Lake. We host exhibitions, Lunar New Year celebrations, cultural festivals, and cooking workshops throughout the year.
Everything we do comes back to the same thing: keeping these arts alive and making them accessible. No prerequisites, no gatekeeping. Just good teaching from people who know what they're doing.
The People Behind AACA
Artists and practitioners who trained across Asia and now call Utah home.
Zhang Haobo
President
Mr. Zhang Haobo, the President of the Asian Arts & Culture Association, is a Chinese visual artist. He formerly served as the principal of the Ju-Ren Culture and Art School in Guangdong, China. He received training in Flower-and-Birds and Landscape Painting at the China Academy of Art. His calligraphy and traditional Chinese ink painting works have been exhibited and received numerous awards both nationally and internationally. Mr. Zhang is devoted to teaching traditional Chinese arts in the U.S., eagerly promoting Asian culture, and strengthening cultural ties between China and America.
Lin Yang
Vice President & Calligraphy Instructor
Lin Yang is the founder of the "One Water Sky" breathing method and the fifth-generation successor of the Yin Family Baguazhang martial art. She serves as Vice President of AACA and the calligraphy instructor at AACA. She holds a master's in fine art education from Tokyo Gakugei University in Japan. Lin Yang is also a columnist for Utah's Chinese Newspaper, is fluent in Japanese, and annually delivers lectures on traditional Asian culture.
Cuizhen Yue Domke
Board Member · Calligraphy & Painting
Cuizhen Yue Domke is a seasoned artist with a rich experience of 28 years in the field of visual arts. She is proficient in various mediums, including sketches, gouache paintings, oil paintings, and traditional Chinese ink paintings. She has exhibited versatility and skill in capturing a diverse range of subjects, such as figures, landscapes, and flower-and-bird.
Ling Tang
Accountant
Ling Tang, the accountant of AACA, embarked on a transformative journey in her 40s, delving into the traditional Chinese arts of calligraphy, painting, and Guqin. This exploration has profoundly nourished her spirit and enriched her life. She is passionate about sharing her experiences and emotions with friends and remains committed to continual learning and growth within her community.
Stephanie Yu
Secretary · Culinary Workshops
Stephanie Yu, a veteran tax accountant in professional life, serves as the Secretary of AACA and leads AACA's traditional culinary workshops. She has stepped into various interest fields, including sports, music, canine obedience training, the classic of changes, traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese calligraphy & painting.
What Guides Us
Authenticity
Our instructors trained in Asia under recognized masters. The techniques they teach here are the same ones they learned — no shortcuts, no watered-down versions.
Accessibility
You don't need experience, a background in Asian culture, or any special equipment. We keep class fees reasonable and welcome everyone who walks through the door.
Community
AACA exists because people showed up. We're a gathering place for anyone interested in these arts — whether you've practiced for years or you're just curious.