Urban Landscape Improvement Project ‘Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Gallery’ Completed Up to 32 Works
6 New Installations, Collaboration Among Local Residents Including Daycare Children, Youth, and Volunteer Clubs
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi)’s public art and aesthetic improvement project, ‘Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Gallery,’ has unveiled new artworks at 6 locations.
With this, the number of neighborhood art galleries in Jungnang-gu has increased to a total of 32.
‘Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Gallery’ is a project that transforms various local spaces into public art areas, improving the urban landscape so residents can easily experience cultural works in their daily lives. Residents welcome the vibrant transformation of previously dull and neglected spaces.
This is a resident-centered aesthetic improvement project where all processes?from selecting project sites and participating artists to planning and installing artworks?are conducted through resident contests and opinion gathering. Since 2019, a total of 32 neighborhood art galleries have been created. The district not only installs artworks but also strives to enhance artistic quality by recruiting professional public art artists and undergoing review and consultation by the Jungnang-gu Public Design Committee.
By the end of last year, new artworks were installed in six locations: Junghwa 1-dong (2 sites), Mangu Bon-dong, Sinnae 1-dong, Myeonmok 5-dong, and Myeonmok Bon-dong. The artworks, installed in various forms such as sculptures and fence art, brighten up previously dull spaces.
The 29th work, ‘The World of Jungnang Children, The Children’s Flowers Have Bloomed,’ installed in fence art form in Sinnae 1-dong last November, was created through collaboration among children from Sinnae Daycare Center, illustrator Lee Jin, and a local young designer. The 30th work, ‘Happy Hide-and-Seek of Jungnang Children,’ engraved on stairs and retaining walls in Myeonmok 5-dong, was expressed with the message of ‘pedestrian safety’ by professional artist Lim Sol-ji, who draws rabbits as a motif, along with the illustration club of Sinhyeon Middle School and the youth mural volunteer club Amaranth.
The 32nd work, ‘Colorful Bonghwasan, The Story of Bongwoojae,’ completed in December last year, involved artist Kim Da-ye and others, who painted a mural depicting the warm scenery of Bonghwasan-ro and the story of Bongwoojae.
Each artwork is accompanied by an information board where visitors can learn about the theme and the artist’s intention.
Ryu Gyeong-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “‘Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Gallery’ not only provides opportunities to comfortably experience art throughout the neighborhood but also significantly beautifies and brightens the urban landscape of Jungnang-gu. We will continue to incorporate residents’ opinions to beautifully cultivate neglected or dull public spaces.”
The ‘Jungnang Our Neighborhood Art Gallery’ project will continue in 2023. The district plans to hold a resident contest in the first half of the year to receive project site applications, then select the final sites through review by the Jungnang-gu Public Design Committee.
Nowon-gu Volunteer Center Selected as an Excellent Institution for ‘2022 Student Volunteer Activity Activation and Enhancement’
The Nowon-gu Volunteer Center (Director Yoo Bong-sang) was selected last month as an excellent institution for ‘2022 Student Volunteer Activity Activation and Enhancement,’ hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
Since its official launch in 2014, the Nowon-gu Volunteer Center has led efforts to create a happy community by collaborating with 19 district volunteer camps and over 100 volunteer organizations in the area.
The center has focused on developing and operating customized programs for volunteers. Among these, its active connection between youth and the local community was recognized, earning this commendation.
During the official period (April 2014 to November 2022), the center provided volunteer education and programs to 176,869 students across 289 schools. A total of 4,954 youth volunteers participated in volunteer programs independently conducted by the center, creating volunteer learning opportunities based in the local community.
First, the center, together with the youth volunteer education group ‘Eoullim Coaching’ (Leader Chun Im-sook), provided ‘Visiting Volunteer Education’ to 242 schools and 168,131 students, enhancing positive perceptions of volunteering.
Additionally, the ‘Youth Volunteer Learning Practice School’ program was conducted with 47 schools and 8,738 students, increasing interest in the local community, fostering problem-solving skills, and contributing to career development.
During periods when face-to-face volunteer activities were difficult due to COVID-19, the center operated ‘Online Hello Campaign,’ ‘Online Volunteer Education,’ and ‘Online Non-face-to-face Plogging,’ providing youth with diverse volunteer experience opportunities.
Moreover, through ‘Summer and Winter Vacation Youth Volunteer Schools,’ activities such as environmental cleanup, disability awareness improvement, neighborhood fine dust measurement and observation, and neighborly love activities were carried out. The ‘Volunteer Activities Beside Me’ program connected community service centers and nearby schools, establishing a mutual care system between seniors and youth, offering unique volunteer programs.
The center plans to continue promoting the value of volunteer activities through steady education and to plan and operate various volunteer programs linked to youth career paths.
Director Yoo Bong-sang said, “Although youth volunteer participation is gradually decreasing due to COVID-19 and reduced recommended volunteer hours for students, we will continue to provide various volunteer opportunities connected to the community to support youth volunteer activities.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
