Duderstadt Center Design Lab 1
On May 30, visitors to Nichols Arboretum’s Peony Garden were greeted by a bedazzling sight as the University of Michigan’s 25-foot-long dragon wound its way through pathways lined with blooming peonies. Accompanied by music, movement, and celebration, the performance ushered in summertime cheer while sharing the rich traditions of East Asian culture with the community.
The dragon is the centerpiece of Dancing with the Dragon, an initiative led by the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies that brings together students, faculty, artists, and community members to explore the myth and magic of dragons through performance, visual art, podcasts, and exhibitions.
At the heart of the project is a handcrafted dragon built and decorated with support from the Duderstadt Center Design Lab 1. During the performance, a rhythmic drumbeat, provided by the Ann-Hua Drum and Gong Band, brings the 8-person dragon dance to life as the dragon chases the glowing pearl of wisdom– traditional symbol representing the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.
By combining creativity, craftsmanship, performance, and cultural storytelling, Dancing with the Dragon demonstrates how art can connect people across disciplines, generations, and communities. The project continues to bring the dragon to public spaces throughout Ann Arbor, inviting audiences to experience a tradition that has traveled across cultures, time, and space.
Watch the performance videos and discover how students, artists, and community members brought the U-M dragon to life.