Turkish family welcomed at Chinese American community arts center

On the morning of Saturday, Jan. 17, the snowfall gradually grew heavier. In Sunset Park, the streets were covered in snow, and the neighborhood’s colorful buildings stood out even more against the white.

At Rainbow House on Eighth Avenue, the Saturday drawing class got underway. In the cold of winter, the classroom felt warm, filled with bright artwork, art supplies, and the children’s smiles.

The kids drew all kinds of subjects, including princesses, buildings, and Lunar New Year-themed pieces. They stayed focused on their work. When they glanced toward the camera, their eyes were bright with energy and excitement.

Two of the students were siblings: 7-year-old Mehmet and 9-year-old Elifnur Gencaslan. They have been taking drawing classes at Rainbow House since November 2025. For the upcoming New Year, Elifnur drew a girl wearing traditional Chinese clothing. Mehmet drew a horse in colorful armor and wrote four characters across the top: “旗开得胜,” a phrase that wishes for a strong, victorious start. Mehmet said he loves the Fire Horse, while Elifnur loves dragons. Their family has been decorating their home with lanterns and hopes the new year will bring fresh strength and energy.

The siblings’ parents immigrated from Turkey and have lived in Sunset Park for more than 20 years. Their father, Volkan Gencaslan, said Rainbow House has made them feel welcome.

“Rainbow House is very inclusive. They embrace us with open arms,” Volkan said. “They embrace multiculturalism. For this organization, money isn’t the most important thing. Rainbow House is like a bridge, connecting families in the community. My kids really love coming here for class.”

Volkan added that there are not many families in Sunset Park with a Turkish background like theirs. He said that when they tried enrolling their children in programs run by organizations from other cultural backgrounds, they sometimes felt excluded. At Rainbow House, he said, they have felt accepted, even though they are not Chinese.

Volkan also spoke about gaps in public education and why the center matters to his family.

“In this day and age, you can’t rely entirely on public education,” he said. “They won’t support activities like this. If you want your kids to participate, you have to find places like this yourself and pay out of pocket.”

He said the family has tried to keep their children involved in extracurriculars, and that Rainbow House welcomed them warmly. He added that arts education is crucial for children’s development, but that public schools do not always offer consistent art programming.

Rainbow House also aims to help local families access arts education, especially when many low-income households in Sunset Park have limited access to programs and resources. Volkan said the center has helped his children grow more confident and has given them chances to learn, celebrate, and experience many cultures.

Two other siblings, 6-year-old Aaliyah Lin and 8-year-old Triston Lin, also created Lunar New Year-themed pieces. Aaliyah drew a red koi fish and wrote “年年有余,” a New Year wish for abundance year after year. Triston drew a bowl of braised pork belly with a playful caption. Their mother, Zhang Yun, said the children enjoy the class because they are interested and the teachers are kind. She said schools do not offer the same kind of structured arts education, and she has noticed the children becoming more interested in drawing, with stronger color choices and deeper understanding of what they depict.

Students will continue preparing artwork for the holiday. Their pieces will be displayed at Rainbow House’s New Year event on March 15.