A groundbreaking initiative was launched in Zhangjiagang on May 23, designed to integrate art, family education, and community engagement to support children's artistic development and create a unique family education ecosystem. This event brought together over 100 representatives, including artists, family education experts, and community leaders, who gathered in Yangshe town for a roundtable discussion titled "Awakening Innate Talents Through Art: Creating New Scenarios for Community Family Education".
An interactive map showcasing Zhangjiagang's "Community Artist Workshops" was unveiled, marking the official launch of eight such workshops. These workshops offer a diverse "art menu" spanning music, fine arts, calligraphy, and intangible cultural heritage crafts, allowing children to explore their interests freely.
The "Community Artist Workshops" initiative was spearheaded by Lu Jiayi, a Ph.D. candidate at Japan's Keio University. She introduced the innovative "Community Artist Workshop Eco-chain" concept, establishing a collaborative network comprising artist mentors, communities, child creators, art partners (parents), and a family education guidance backbone. These workshops aim to create immersive, everyday scenarios where art and family education merge, making art accessible and strengthening family bonds through collaborative creation.
"Unlike the traditional model where children draw and parents observe, these workshops invite local Zhangjiagang artists to lead, making the art experience professional yet engaging," explained Lu Jiayi. "This approach brings art education back into daily life, attracting more families to participate in a natural and relaxed way."
She added that a series of themed activities led by different artist teams will kick off this summer. The team plans to refine the workshops based on practical experience, striving to build a new art education platform that is both professional and down-to-earth.
"Previously, children could only access art in the classroom. This format is diverse and novel," commented Zhou Qianli, a local resident. "It not only brings us closer to our children but also makes art education more heartwarming. I hope we can participate in more such activities in our community."