Sky Sculptures: Traditional Kites of Asia takes flight at The City of Upper Arlington's Concourse Gallery April 17-May 13, 2009. The exhibit celebrates Asian culture through the spectacular art of Asian kites. The Concourse Gallery is located at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, and is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sky Sculptures: Traditional Kites of Asia, featuring approximately 50 kites from eight different Asian countries, is on display in conjunction with Asian History month in May and many other cultural events in Franklin County. In addition to the exhibition, curated by Japanese-born artist Yasue Sakaoka, workshops and seminars are being planned for schools in Upper Arlington and Columbus building upon The City of Upper Arlington's development of relationships with artists of varied cultural backgrounds.

The Cultural Arts Division has also commissioned work by Kite Artist Jingfei Li who resides in the Yunnan Province of China. Jingfei Li's commitment to continuing the tradition of a dying local art form of storytelling prompted her to study with one of the few remaining Yunnan-style kite makers. Yunnan kites are well known for their unique design. Using a variety of techniques, the typical Yunnan kite is built up, layer upon layer, and the finished product is seen as representing a unique cultural expression of freedom which contrasts with the existing repressive social structures.

Kite artist Jingfei Li describes her work as, "A mirror that reflects the feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, fears and experiences that we all share in humanity. The subjects of my creations are the relationships between ourselves, and the environments we are connected to. It is a privilege to combine elements of vibrancy through color, humor, and technique."

Sky Sculptures is on view at the Concourse Gallery in partnership with The Ohio State University's Institute for Chinese Studies, Wright State University's Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center and The Drachen Foundation. This program is financially supported by The Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars targeted to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans and UA Arts.