Gwangju Dong-gu, 'Chungjang22' Cultural Exchange Hub on 2nd Anniversary of Opening

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Celebrating its 2nd anniversary this year, Chungjang22 has established itself as a residence space where local cultural artists can fully dedicate themselves to creation, and is emerging as a new hub for cultural exchange where artists, residents, and merchants communicate through culture.

Chungjang22, which opened in May 2020 after remodeling an old soy sauce factory building, has been operated as a representative local cultural space by the social enterprise SangsangO, selected as the entrusted company through a public contest process. They have developed cooperative programs linked to the Chungjang-ro commercial district, held busking performances, and flea markets.

Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, the current vacancy rate of the 22 independent residency rooms at Chungjang22 is 0%. Since its opening, about 20 artists including local cultural artists such as writers, creators, and young cultural planners have continuously resided there, participating in various creative residency projects.

Specifically, the creative residency projects targeting local cultural artists active as resident artists at Chungjang22 include ▲developing cooperative programs linked to the beauty industry and master craftsmen in Chungjang-ro 4th and 5th districts ▲developing joint programs with resident artists in collaboration with the National Asia Culture Center, Gwangju Cultural Foundation, and Gwangju Biennale.

In particular, Chungjang22 has been evaluated positively for providing resident artists with the basic conditions to carry out artistic work, achieving artistic results, and operating cultural and artistic programs that offer opportunities for cultural enjoyment by meeting local residents, thereby contributing positively to the local community.

From March to October last year, the ‘Healing Art Academy in the City Center’ held as a Chungjang22 cultural arts program, along with ‘Chungjang22 Culture Day,’ where participants could enjoy various works, also received high acclaim.

This year, starting from August when the Chungjang22 expansion construction is completed, plans are underway to promote programs such as ‘Healing Art Academy S.O.S in the City Center,’ ‘A Wonderful Day in October at Chungjang22,’ and ‘Online Permanent Busking Chungjang Begin Again.’

Additionally, coinciding with the ‘19th Memory of Chungjang Festival World Festival’ scheduled for October, individual or collaborative exhibitions and performances by artists active in diverse fields such as media art, painting, and dance will be held, allowing artists and citizens to participate together and enjoy cultural and artistic experiences.

Moreover, the ‘Chungjang History and Culture Center,’ an exhibition and experience space featuring unique content that consolidates the history of Chungjang-ro, is set to open in October at Chungjang22.

Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu, said, “Despite the long-term COVID-19 pandemic imposing many restrictions on local cultural artists’ creative activities after the opening, I thank the resident artists who overcame these difficulties. Moving forward, we will continue to work together between the public and private sectors to ensure Chungjang22 not only regains the reputation of the Chungjang-ro commercial district as a key facility but also becomes a representative local cultural space where local cultural artists can stay and create, as well as a business model linked to local content.”

Meanwhile, Chungjang22 was created as part of the ‘Urban Regeneration Leading Area 3 Major Hub Development Project,’ with a total project cost of 7.3 billion KRW. It covers a total area of 1,883㎡ with one basement floor and four above-ground floors, featuring 22 independent residency rooms and multipurpose exhibition spaces. The name Chungjang22 was inspired by the fact that there are 22 residential and work studios for artists and creators, and the street address is 22-gil.