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About 200 works comprising sculptures, ceramics, paintings, prints and multi-media created by different local community groups will be on show at an exhibition entitled "A Celebration of Together We Stride - A Community Art Promotion Project Exhibition" at Tsuen Wan Town Hall from tomorrow (August 10) until August 16, sharing with the public a message that art is for all.
"A Celebration of Together We Stride" is a community art project organised with the collaboration of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Art Promotion Office (APO) and the Hong Kong Open Printshop. It has been organised to provide art workshops for newly arrived families, citizens of South Asian ethnicity, the elderly and the young with the aim of encouraging them to enjoy art creation and, at the same time, build up their confidence and strengthen their connections with the community.
The exhibition was officially opened today (August 9) by the Curator (Art) of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Mr Cheng Woon-tong; lecturer of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr Fernando Cheung; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Open Printshop, Mr Fung Ho-yin; participant of the Kiangsu-Chekiang (Shatin) Elder Academy Mr Walter Shum; and student of the Society of Boys' Centres Chak Yan Centre School Mr Lawrence Chan.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Mr Cheng noted that the "A Celebration of Together We Stride" project was launched in 2010 to provide free workshops in arts for people from all walks of life so as to take art to different communities.
"Art creation is an activity that everyone can take part in. People can demonstrate their imagination regardless of their gender and age. Art creation is also a chance to have fun. Through their works, participants could express their feelings, communicate with the people around them and build up closer relationships. The satisfaction gained is an unparalleled experience for those who have created a work of their own," Mr Cheng said.
Twenty-five organisations bringing together members from different community groups took part in this project. Featuring workshops on print-making, painting, pottery, sculpture and animation, the programme provided tools and materials as well as artists to instruct the participants. The exhibition will show the fruitful results of the participants' creativity during the workshops.
Those who wish to learn more about the promotion of community art should not miss a sharing session, "Sharing Communion - A Sharing of the Promotion of Community Art", to be held on August 12 from 3pm to 4.30pm at Tsuen Wan Town Hall. It will discuss how to promote community art from the perspective of existing policy, participants' experiences and overseas practice. The activity will be conducted in Cantonese. For registration, please call the Hong Kong Open Printshop at 2319 1660.
Tsuen Wan Town Hall is located at 72 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan. It is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Admission is free.
For details of the exhibition and the related activity, visit the APO's webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Apo/en/programmes20110701_7.html or call the Community Art Team of the APO at 3101 2712 or 3101 2713.
Ends/Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:18
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