Yantai Modern Art Academy Creates “Art Spaces” to Empower Urban Aesthetic Education

On March 25, 2025, the first demonstration site of Yantai Modern Art Academy’s urban “Art Space” officially opened at Shangmei Xizhuang on Fenghuangtai Road, Zhifu District, Yantai. The simultaneous launch of the “Rhythm of Heart and Shadow” Watercolor Exhibition by Huang Renjie attracted numerous calligraphy and painting professionals and surrounding residents. Twenty-two artworks themed on Yantai’s snowscapes, fishing ports, beaches, and ocean waves transformed urban landscapes into artistic languages, allowing citizens to immerse themselves in the charm of art through familiar scenes.

In the future, such art spaces will gradually expand to supermarkets, communities, cultural and creative blocks, and other venues across the city, constructing a “10-Minute Art Circle” covering urban areas to promote art enlightenment and upgrade urban cultural quality.

Photo Reported by YMG All-media Journalist Zhang Sunxiaoyu

Bringing Art to Life: From Galleries to the Public

The inaugural exhibition of Yantai Modern Art Academy’s Yicai Art Space focused on the watercolor works of artist Huang Renjie. Known for his distinctive technique of blending water and color, Huang captures both the tranquility of misty mountains and the hustle and bustle of urban old streets, conveying subtle emotions through the layered changes of transparent watercolors. The exhibition runs until April 5, 2025, and is free to the public.

“Yantai’s mountain-sea scenery and urban life have given me endless creative inspiration,” shared exhibiting artist Huang Renjie on site. He is accustomed to carrying his sketchpad through Yantai's streets and alleys. Over the past three years, he has created ??between 700 and 800 plein air works. “The 22 pieces on display this time are carefully selected, each with a story between me and the city.” Regarding his works being chosen for the first exhibition in the art space, Huang expressed his deep honor, “This kind of exhibition format allows painters to directly hear public feedback, providing the most tangible support for artistic creation.”

“Art should not be confined to professional galleries,” stated Xu Dongxiao, Director of the Art Exchange and Operation Center of Yantai Modern Art Academy. The academy plans to break the time-space limitations of traditional exhibitions through “embedded” art spaces, enabling citizens to engage with art while shopping, dining, or relaxing. In the future, it will collaborate with malls, hotels, community centers, etc., to create immersive exhibitions using architectural features, such as setting up thematic art corners in commercial complexes or planning open-air galleries in historical and cultural blocks.

Diverse Strategies: Making Art Visible, Learnable, and Participatory

To boost public engagement, Yantai Modern Art Academy will roll out three core initiatives: innovative exhibition formats, universal art education, and cross-border integrated development.

In addition to regular art exhibitions, the academy plans to present cross-disciplinary exhibitions integrating digital technologies and installation art. For instance, the “Four Seasons of Yantai” themed exhibition allows visitors to “step into” paintings through light and shadow interaction. Meanwhile, it will also launch “pop-up art shows” and other short-term exhibitions in places like community squares.

Public welfare courses for different groups will be offered, such as painting starter classes for children, oil painting workshops for adults, and online art courses. The academy will also cooperate with universities to establish a “Youth Creation Center” to nurture a new generation of artists.

To explore the synergy between art and commerce, the academy aims to co-develop limited-edition art derivatives with local brands or design art-themed IPs for cultural tourism projects. Director Xu Dongxiao revealed that the academy is in discussions with a cosmetics brand to integrate watercolor elements into its product packaging.

Public Response: Art Becomes a “Daily Option” in Life

On the opening day, Ms. Li, a visitor who brought her child to the exhibition, said, “It’s great to have a professional art exhibition right in our neighborhood. My child can join weekend painting sessions—it’s so much more meaningful than scrolling through phones.” Mr. Wang, a nearby shop owner, hopes the art space to drive foot traffic in the area, “If exhibitions are updated regularly, this place could become a new hotspot.”

Chen Yushan, Deputy Dean of Yantai Modern Art Academy and curator of the Yicai Art Space, believes that the academy’s effort to make urban art spaces more accessible helps lower the threshold for public engagement while also nourishing artistic creation. “When artists receive direct public feedback, their works become more in tune with the times,” stated Chen. He added that Yicai Art Space will continue hosting art exhibitions to provide a stage for artists to showcase their works and strengthen the bridge between art and the public.

Future Vision: Building a “10-Minute Art Circle” Across the City

Dong Guihan, President of Yantai Modern Art Academy, said that the academy plans to launch 5-8 pilot art spaces in Laishan District and the Development Zone within this year, forming a “one-district-one-feature” layout. The long-term goal is to establish a citywide “10-minute art circle” through cooperation with the government, enterprises, and communities, allowing citizens to reach an art experience venue within a 10-minute walk.

“Art is not a lofty decoration but a part of the city’s living breath,” said Dong. With the launch of these art spaces, new possibilities are quietly emerging in Yantai’s artistic soil.