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For Immediate Release Norwich, CT: Norwich Arts Center's Cooperative Gallery is pleased to announce that Juner Zhai has joined as an Elected Artist Member. Zhai Yujuan (Juner) specializes in traditional Chinese watercolor painting, as well as being adept in modern formats and calligraphy. With private and corporate experience as a designer, Juner worked as a Trademark Designer for China Packaging Import and Export Co., Ltd. and Qinghai Trademark Firm. Several of her designs and trademarks have gone onto successful products in the marketplace and her designs have also appeared as book covers and in publications. She served as an Art Teacher with the Tampa Chinese School, an Art/Chinese Language Teacher for the Southeastern CT Chinese School and for the Niantic Center School after-school programs. She was a Chinese Culture Teacher at Oswegatchie Elementary School & is currently at SCCS Chinese School after School. Juner received her School of Arts BA and her College of Humanities BA, each from Qinghai Normal University located in Xining, Qinghai, China. Juner lives in New London with her husband, Mark Patnode, who is also an artist. When asked what is an artist to her, Juner said “I feel it is to use your hands to describe the seemingly ordinary but beautiful moments in life. To use your eyes to help others discover details they cannot see. To record your feelings in your special way. So, I train hard as I want my hands to be like those of a craftsman. I want my eyes to be like a child. I want my sensitivity to emulate the wings of a butterfly.” Juner’s work, along with other NAC artists, can be viewed on Saturday’s from 12-4pm and more information is available by visiting www.norwicharts.org/artists. Membership to the Cooperative Gallery of the Norwich Arts Center (NAC) is open to all regional artists and benefits include periodic exhibition opportunities, institutional promotion and marketing. Artists whose work is “non-traditional” are particularly encouraged to apply, as this is the primary focus of the Gallery. There are 3 levels of membership: Elected Artist Member, Associate Artist Member and NAC Member. Gallery shows are available on www.norwicharts.org/exhibits and Norwich Arts Center can arrange for safe, curbside pickups. NAC Gallery is now the longest on-going cooperative gallery in southeastern Connecticut. Contact: Kris Nickerson, President norwichartscenter@gmail.com 860-949-0444