In August 2015, Dana Ellyn was invited by curator Xichen Xu to participate in an international group exhibition celebrating the visual culture of Chinese opera. The exhibit was held at the Katzen Art Center in Washington, DC. It featured artists from China, Vietnam, Iran, and the United States, showcasing a wide range of interpretations rooted in traditional and contemporary themes.

Ellyn’s painting—depicting a striking red-costumed opera figure against a bold green backdrop—stood out as one of the most expressionist pieces in the show. The Washington Post noted that her work, along with Matt Sesow’s, was among “the loosest and most expressionist” in a selection that largely leaned toward precision and representation. The exhibition was also covered in China Daily, highlighting its international scope and cultural resonance.