Chinese culture takes root in America's Palm Beach

Norton museum also holds special Chinese cultural exhibitions from time to time. Barnes said she used to spend three years on an exhibition on ceramics connected with tea, elaborating the impact of tea as well as ceramics. It aroused interest among many visitors.

"There are still people coming up to the entrance desk and saying: 'Who did that exhibition? I'll never forget it. It was one of the greatest exhibitions I've ever seen,'" said Barnes, whose eyes were filled with pride and gratification.

The museum has also celebrated some traditional Chinese festivals with corresponding programs, like the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year.

Scott Benarde, the museum's director of communication, told Xinhua that over 2,000 people came in one day for Chinese New Year last time, while 600 or 700 people came for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"I would say people are interested," said Benarde.

"Art and music are a way for people who don't speak the same language or maybe believe in the same thing to bond or to get to know one another," said Benarde.

"It's hard not to walk into our Chinese collection and look at that giant head of a Buddha, and just not be awed and thrown, no matter who," he added.

Like the pot cultures thriving in the South Florida climate, these exquisite Chinese art pieces are taking root in the exhibition hall, nourishing culture lovers with the aesthetics of an ancient nation far away.

And with the love and passion for Chinese art, the likes of Barnes are treating their jobs as a "life's mission."

"I tell people that the 20th century is the American century, the 19th century was the British century, but the 21st century is gonna be the Chinese century," she said on a bright day, at the museum's courtyard, where visitors passed by from time to time, taking a break from their tour.

"So I think everyone in the world should be interested in Chinese culture because it's China's time," she added.