Nanyang's ancient town becomes 'painter village'

Yuezhuang, a small village in Nanyang, Henan province, has attracted many painters and has become a well-known "painter village".

Painters draw in the warm winter sunlight, watched by villagers. This is a common scene in Yuezhuang today. Established in the Qing Dynasty (around the 18th century), the village has historic buildings and beautiful scenery.

Early this year, the famous artist, Zhengming, settled down and set up his art studio in an old house. Hundreds of artists came after him in a few months, and Yuezhuang became a "painter village".

The painters attracted attention from heads of the publicity department of Wancheng district (the upper level administrative unit), who organized research and made efforts to help promote the village. To improve its living condition, highlight cultural identity and protect rural landscape, local bodies invested much in local infrastructure construction.

In today's Yuezhuang, artistic scenes like dirt roads, earthen walls, stone mills, blue bricks, grooves, and old vines can easily be seen, making the village a wonderland for artists.

Villagers have richer spiritual lives after the improvement of living conditions. Encouraged by the local government, artists voluntarily give painting, calligraphy and Chinese classics classes to children from the neighborhood, many of whom are children of migrant workers.

The "painter village" has also seen growth in economy. Investment from artists promotes the development of relevant local industries. Developing together, the village has now become a tourist attraction itself.

The culture is further developing. "I'm busy these days with my house," said Wang Genxi, a famous artist whose works won many awards, "I have hired people to repair the roof of my studio, make fences, lay the floor, and plant some trees." Now more than 60 artists like Wang have settled in the village.

The village is a good example to show the charm and potential of culture, laying a good foundation for the transformation of Wancheng culture and becoming a new pole for its economic growth.

A painter draws an oil painting at Yuezhuang – the "painter village" in Nanyang, Henan province. [Photo by Sheng Jundong / dahe.cn]

Artists creating new painting and calligraphy works at Yuezhuang – the "painter village" in Nanyang, Henan province [Photo by Sun Xizeng and Fang Songyu / hnr.cn]

Edited by Andrew Ancheta