Goheung-gun has begun preparations for the opening of ‘Goheung Dreaming Art Site’. Goheung-gun (Gong Young-min) and Goheung-gun Cultural City Center announced that they have begun final preparations ahead of the opening of Goheung Dreaming Art Site (20 Heungyang-gil, Goheung-eup), the only space dedicated to cultural arts education in Jeollanam-do.
‘Goheung Dreaming Art Site’ is the name of a space dedicated to cultural and arts education created using idle space for the purpose of improving the artistic sensitivity of children and youth, nurturing creative talent, and strengthening the cultural capabilities of local residents.
In the ‘Art Garden Picture Bookstore’ on the first floor, there is a space where you can relax while looking at books containing the stories of Goheung, as well as a ‘hand workshop’ where you can do woodworking and craft work. In the ‘Multipurpose Room’ on the 2nd floor, you can engage in various activities by focusing on your body’s senses, in the ‘Media Art Drawing Room’ on the 3rd floor, you can experience virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), and in the ‘Sound Workshop’, you can work on music. The ‘Art and Technology Lab’ provides education in photography, video, animation, etc.
This opening ceremony will be held at the Dreaming Art Center Plaza at 3 PM on November 16th in the form of an exhibition and festival that can be enjoyed with participants, breaking away from existing practices.
After the opening ceremony, we plan to operate art experience-type, regional-specific, and youth art camps so that people can experience culture and arts that take advantage of the region’s characteristics and strengths and receive various educational programs.
A military official said, “In the future, we will do our best to enrich the lives of residents by providing diverse and high-quality cultural and arts services through the Dreaming Art Center and to become a space loved by residents.”
Meanwhile, Goheung-gun is carrying out various welfare and cultural activities centered around the Goheung Women Farmers Comprehensive Support Center (Director Park Sang-gyu) to foster female farmers as key personnel in line with changes in the agricultural and rural environment, such as the aging rural population and diversification of farming forms.
The Women Farmers Center, opened in 2004, is operated to support stable farming activities and improve welfare and culture of women farmers. This center helps female farmers focus on farming even during the busy farming season through counseling on difficulties arising from rural life and after-school study guidance for their children. It also provides various work activities through grassroots club support projects, sewing classes, tea ceremony classes, etc. The area is expanding.
We visit elementary schools in the area, such as Duwon Elementary School, and open a ‘Little Farmer School’ so that they can feel the love for the soil and crops of their local area, such as gardening. We also provide education on improving farming and the operation of a weekend childcare center to encourage female farmers’ social participation and life. We are also actively working to improve the quality.
In particular, the ‘Pretty Hands Together’ volunteer group started with Geumo Village in Duwon-myeon last August and visited remote villages such as Balpo Village in Dohwa-myeon to carry out various volunteer activities such as sewing and repairing clothes for the elderly with limited mobility and producing and donating public nap pillows, thereby helping residents.
In addition, in order to share the practical difficulties of female farmers and provide a forum for communication, various projects such as dementia prevention campaigns, health classes, and education on using seasonal agricultural products are being carried out, which are receiving great response from female farmers.
Goheung-gun supports a budget of 140 million won every year to create sustainable agriculture and rural areas through the revitalization of the Women Farmers Center.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Goheung-gun
Interview between the Time.news Editor and an Expert on Cultural Arts Education
Editor: Good day, and welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Ji-Hoon Park, an expert in cultural arts education and community development. Dr. Park, thank you for joining us to discuss the newly inaugurated Goheung Dreaming Art Site.
Dr. Park: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share insights about this innovative project.
Editor: To begin, can you tell us about the significance of the Goheung Dreaming Art Site in the context of cultural arts education in South Korea, particularly in Jeollanam-do?
Dr. Park: Absolutely! The Goheung Dreaming Art Site represents a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing artistic sensitivity among children and youth in the region. It is particularly significant because it utilizes previously idle spaces to provide a dedicated venue for cultural and arts education, which is essential for fostering creativity and improving the cultural capabilities of local residents.
Editor: That’s fascinating! We understand that the site includes various interactive spaces, like the ‘Media Art Drawing Room’ and ‘Sound Workshop.’ How do these facilities contribute to the overall learning experience for young visitors?
Dr. Park: Each of these facilities is thoughtfully designed to engage different senses and modes of learning. For example, the ‘Media Art Drawing Room’ allows participants to explore cutting-edge technologies like VR and AR, which can ignite their imagination and provide a hands-on approach to learning. Similarly, the ‘Sound Workshop’ can spark an interest in music and sound production, encouraging self-expression and collaboration among students. It’s an immersive environment that supports experiential learning, which is crucial for artistic development.
Editor: It sounds like a perfect blend of education and creativity! The opening ceremony is scheduled for November 16th and promises to be quite an event. What do you hope the community takes away from this launch?
Dr. Park: I hope that the opening not only celebrates the new facility but also galvanizes community support for ongoing arts initiatives. This event can serve as a launching pad for future programs that emphasize regional characteristics and the strengths of local artists. My hope is that the Goheung Dreaming Art Site becomes a cherished space for cultural exchange, fostering connections between residents and aspiring artists.
Editor: That’s a wonderful vision! Additionally, we’ve learned about the support for female farmers through the Women Farmers Comprehensive Support Center. How do you see this initiative intersecting with the goals at the Dreaming Art Site?
Dr. Park: The support for female farmers is an integral part of community well-being and development. By intertwining agriculture with cultural arts education, the Dreaming Art Site has the potential to offer specialized programs that highlight local agricultural practices through artistic expression. For instance, workshops could focus on using natural materials in art, creating a bridge between traditional practices and contemporary art forms. This can empower women farmers as both producers and artists, contributing to a richer cultural landscape.
Editor: It seems like a holistic approach to community improvement! Before we wrap up, what would you say is the most important takeaway for other regions looking to implement similar projects?
Dr. Park: The key takeaway for other regions would be to prioritize community involvement at every stage of development. Engage local artists, educators, and residents in the planning process to ensure the space reflects their needs and aspirations. This ensures sustainability and relevance, making it a true community hub. Also, collaboration with existing cultural or educational institutions can amplify resources and reach.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Park, for your valuable insights on the Goheung Dreaming Art Site and the broader implications for community and cultural arts education! We look forward to seeing how this initiative unfolds and impacts the Goheung community.
Dr. Park: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see the positive changes that come from this project as well.