Meet Friends Volunteer, Fei Xie!

Fei Xiei came to the Clifton Park-Halfmoon area 5 years ago when her husband, Gary, was studying at RPI and then was offered local employment. Fei and Gary were elementary school classmates in China, who met again as adults and now have two children, Anson, 4, and Allen, almost 2. 

Prior to moving to Halfmoon, Fei studied graphic design in Paris, living there for 7 years, receiving her master's degree and then working in her field as a graphic design manager. She is a highly skilled graphic illustrator and artist as the photos here of her professional work and drawings will show.

Examples of Fei's Drawings

Fei began volunteering at the Library, right after she moved here, creating many of the posters that you will see on the Friends displays at the Library. And, as word has gotten out about her accomplished skills, Fei has found many fulfilling opportunities to share her gifts as both a volunteer and teacher. Fei has taught art classes for children at the Library, teaches after school classes at private schools and gives private lessons on drawing. Every Tuesday for the past 4 years, Fei has been teaching drawing at the Chinese Community Center in Latham for 30 students ranging from 4 - 13 years. Fei also teaches Chinese language instruction. 

So what does the future hold? For certain, Fei wishes to stay in the area. Life is very calm compared to the crowded, big city feel of Paris. Being centrally located to NYC, Boston, and the Adirondacks, there are many wonderful museums and outdoor spaces to take her children, who are also very happy here.

On top of all this, Fei values her special Wednesday chats with another Friends volunteer, Corinne Acker, who Fei believes, through their friendship, she has greatly improved her English. Corinne agrees their Wednesdays are very special and extols "Fei and I are like family!"

The Friends and the Library Community benefit from Fei's many talents. 

Standing in front of the Friends display upstairs in the Library and some of the posters she has created over the past 5 years, Fei Xie has also taught and continues to teach several children's classes at the Library: Storytelling then recreate the main character using paint, chalk and collage; cut out and create a unique dancing figure inspired by French artist Matisse; using tempura paints, create a drawing inspired by a beautiful Matisse masterpiece. 

Some of Fei's Students' Drawings
​ and Paintings

Examples of Fei's Professional-Commercial Art Works