Goseong Cultural Foundation to Host Art Healing Week: "Goseong Connected by Art, Art Ointment"

Goseong Connected by Art... A Time for Collective Healing
An Integrated Art Healing Project Spanning Generations and Social Classes
Goseong Cultural Foundation Recruiting Participants for "Art Ointment" Until the 31st

The Goseong Cultural Foundation in Gangwon Province (Chairman: Ham Myungjun) will host the "2025 Goseong Cultural Foundation Art Healing Week - Goseong Connected by Art, Art Ointment" from October 23 to 31. The event will take place at Dalhol Cultural Center, Dementia Relief Center, and various community spaces throughout Goseong County.

Aerial view of Goseong County Office. Provided by Goseong County

This initiative is an integrated art healing project designed to allow all residents to experience psychological stability and a sense of community through culture and the arts. The program offers customized healing content for a wide range of participants, from infants to adults, including caregivers of dementia patients.

“Art Ointment” began as a pilot program in 2023, introduced a week-long format in 2024, and has now entered its third year. This year, the foundation is strengthening collaboration with local health and welfare institutions to expand its role as a social safety net. Under the goal of “caring for the mind and connecting people through art,” a variety of art healing programs will be offered, including music, dance, visual arts, and psychology.

The main programs are organized around two core themes.

First, the institution-linked program “Understanding Through Music” will be held in four sessions for caregivers of dementia patients. The sessions will address understanding negative emotions within the family, communication methods, discovering remaining abilities, and self-care, all integrated with music activities.

Additionally, the one-day programs are designed for all residents to participate. There are six types in total: somatics and singing bowl meditation for adults; dance-based programs for families; sensory play for infants and toddlers’ development; psychological assessments for youth; and color psychology programs for adults. Through these programs, participants can experience not only psychological stability but also solidarity and recovery within the community through art.

Registration for participants began on September 30 and is available via the Goseong Cultural Foundation website and QR codes. The number of participants varies by program, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For the institution-linked program, recruitment will be conducted separately using the existing network of the Dementia Relief Center.

A representative from the Goseong Cultural Foundation stated, “Art Ointment aims to comfort the hearts of our residents and build a cultural safety net that spans generations and social classes. We hope that through Art Healing Week, residents will experience the power of art in their daily lives and find opportunities to connect with one another.”