About Us

Asian Arts New York (AANY) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports Asian arts and artists across New York State. Through cultural exchange and creative collaboration, we connect communities and showcase the depth and diversity of Asian artistic expression.

View AANY Bylaws
Wei Qin - President & Founder

Wei Qin - President, Founder, Board member

Wei Qin is a recognized cultural leader in New York’s Capital Region, known for her unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving heritage arts. In 2025, she received formal proclamations from both the New York State Senator and the State Comptroller in honor of her contributions to cultural preservation. That same year, she was awarded an Individual Artist Grant from the Arts Center of the Capital Region. In 2024, she was named one of the Distinguished Women of District 110 for her outstanding community impact. During her three-year term as President of the Chinese Community Center of the Capital District of NY, Wei Qin led impactful initiatives that significantly expanded the organization's outreach and enhanced its reputation within and beyond the local community. Under her leadership, the Center received the “Global Citizenship” Award from the International Center of the Capital Region in 2023. With the support of the team and Grant Director Jane Ni, Wei also successfully secured $134,000 in state funding for the organization in 2024. As a cultural ambassador, Wei firmly believes that cultural diversity contributes to the prosperity of the Capital Region. She founded Asian Arts New York, Inc. with the vision that “Art Transcends Boundaries and Connects People.” Her mission is to create a platform for Asian artists across New York State—supporting cultural exchange, artistic expression, and the ongoing enrichment of New York’s diverse cultural landscape.

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Ann Parillo - Secretary
Ann Parillo

Board Member | Secretary

Ann Parillo is a longtime community advocate, TV host, and nonprofit leader. For over 27 years, she has hosted and produced Capital Region Today, a television program highlighting local arts and culture. She also serves as the volunteer Executive Director of Singles Outreach Services Inc., a social organization for single adults.

Ann is Board Secretary of the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District and actively volunteers with community theaters, the Kids Arts Festival, and Jazz on Jay. Her many honors include the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, Proctors Volunteer of the Year, and the rare distinction of Schenectady Patroon. A retired pharmacist and former business owner, Ann taught at the Albany College of Pharmacy and served with the NYS Board of Pharmacy and other healthcare advisory boards. Her connection to China began through her late husband Greg Millett, whose father’s 1943–44 Kodachrome slides of wartime China were later exhibited and donated to the National Museum of History in Beijing. Ann continues to nurture a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and history to this day.

Peter G. Balint - Treasurer
Peter G. Balint

Board Member | Treasurer

Peter Balint is a retired executive with an extensive background in both domestic and international markets. He served as the first Managing Director of NYNEX International in Europe, based in Geneva, where he led major market development initiatives and achieved significant market leadership in the telecommunications sector.

Having immigrated to the U.S. at age 13, Peter’s personal experience with cultural challenges has been a key reason for his involvement with the AANY board. He authored a memoir, *The Shoe in the Danube*, about his immigrant experience as a Holocaust survivor. Peter served in the U.S. Army for three years, achieving the rank of Captain. A practitioner of Tai Chi for over 25 years, Peter is married to Sandra Balint, a Tai Chi Master and longtime supporter of the local Chinese community. He holds a degree in French from Siena College and has completed graduate-level courses from institutions such as Yale, Princeton, and Wharton. Peter has also participated in international business seminars and lectured at universities such as the University of Idaho and INSEAD. Peter has also served in leadership roles such as Commander of the Lake George Power Squadron and Treasurer of the Fan Association of North America (FANA).

Sue Sun - Treasurer
Sue Sun

Volunteer | Treasurer

Sue Sun holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from SUNY Albany and has over ten years of experience working for the New York State government, including the Office of the State Comptroller. With a strong background in accounting and finance, she has always carried a deep passion and confidence in Asian culture. She aspires to actively promote Asian culture in Upstate New York, encouraging more people to understand, experience, and embrace it.

Jennifer Zhao - Advisor
Jennifer Zhao

Advisor

Jennifer Zhao holds a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science Engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Engineering in Integrated Microsystems from the University of Michigan, and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She is a small business owner, independent educational consultant, and adjunct professor at Russell Sage College. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the International Center of the Capital Region and as a lead engineer at GE Global Research. Jennifer has served on the boards of the Niskayuna School District, YWCA of Northeastern NY, APAPA, and the Chinese Community Center. She is also an active parent in the WLWV school district and a member of the Bolton PTA.

Tai Ngo Shaw - Advisor
Tai Ngo Shaw

Advisor

Tai, CEO of CNY Uniform Plus, has led the Asian American community in Central New York for over two decades. Coming to NY on his own as a ten-year-old Vietnamese refugee on a boat, his background in business psychology, community development, and human services has given him the unique ability to promote cultural diversity, absolute equality, and economic growth throughout NY. As founder and primary contributor of the Blessing Box, a New American food pantry, which consistently feeds over 100 families each week, Tai has been able to put his money where his heart is. Blessing Box serves families from a broad range of backgrounds, including many from Burma, Bhutan, Nepali, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq, Sudan,Congolese, Somalia, Sierra Leone, and Ukraine. He has also organized bike, clothing, furniture, and phone giveaways, as well as health fairs. Tai has applied his boundless energy and lifelong commitment to service by serving on the board of directors for the Empire State Development Council, the United Way of CNY, the Upstate Minority Alliance, the Syracuse Onondaga County NAACP, Molina Healthcare, Northside Business Partners, and the Syracuse Police Department. He is a member of a dozen other organizations like Rotary, Masons, 100 Black Men, etc. where he leads by example as well as being a sought-after speaker and advisor.  Tai is also a successful entrepreneur, actor, and public speaker in NY, and serves as an inaugural NY State AAPI Commission Member, NY State Fair Asian Village Superintendent, APAPA Syracuse Chairman, and a proud father. His singular mission is to be the type of person his two amazing children will forever be proud of.

📣 Bring Asian Arts to Your Community

Asian Arts New York proudly offers engaging cultural programs for organizations and institutions seeking to explore the richness of Asian art and heritage.

We collaborate with a wide range of venues, including:

  • Schools and Colleges
  • Libraries
  • Corporate Offices and Events
  • Senior Centers

Booking Options:

  • Presentations
  • Workshops
  • School Assemblies
  • Live Performances

For a detailed list of available programs, click here.

To host a program or request more information, please contact:
ed@asianartsny.org