Susana Tam is a Chinese ribbon artist, having learned the tradition in her early years in Taiwan.  She quickly learned a range of various designs--- Chinese good luck notes, lucky stars, 3-D origami and more.  Susana juggled her long career with the NYCDOE while using her artistic talents to benefit the community. Over the years, she’s used these beautiful art works to help fundraise for causes dear to her heart--- including the American Cancer Society and local day care centers.  Her works have been gifts for birthdays, retirements, and anniversaries.   She creates designs based on their traditional meanings and narrative to create a meaningful gift.   

All of Susana’s workshops offer mentally stimulating challenges and are intended to provide relaxation, create art, improve spatial visualization, concentration and hand-eye coordination. 

Workshop Descriptions: 

Chinese Ribbon Fish Workshop In-person

Chinese Ribbon fish "Yu" - is a homophonic in Chinese language for the Chinese idiom “Niannianyouyu”; this means to live a prosperous life with surplus wealth and food every year.  “Niannianyouyu” also means abundance every year. It is one of the most representative words for traditional Chinese auspicious prayers, making it a wonderful gift.  Workshop participants will create “Yu” by folding and curling the ribbon into fish. They will add the wiggle eyes, cut the fins, insert the tails with double sided tape and finish with the beautiful beads.  The fish move with any air current and are soothing to watch.   For adults only. 

Red Envelope Fish Workshop In-person

Fish represent wealth and good luck. Participants will create red envelope (Hung Bao) fish and add string so they can be used as decorations, especially during Lunar New Year.  For all ages! 

Ribbon Heart Workshop In-person

Hearts can mean compassion, equality, and showing deep appreciation.  In this workshop, participants will create ribbon hearts by folding 18 sets of small flowers and glueing them into a heart shape. They will finish by adding colorful beads. For adults!