The free rein to imagination and creativity gives birth to fun, invaluable J-Makers artworks. After a two-month overall refurbishment and upgrading, Usunhome Art Gallery reopened on 17th November 2018. On this very day, it also started to hold the 1st J-Makers EXPO, the first large exhibition ever hosted since its reopening. Symbolizing a unique attitude to DIY culture, the EXPO set a trend for J-Makers craftsmanship. It was so much acclaimed that even the foul weather could not dampen visitors’ enthusiasm. The site also witnessed the launching of the 1st Usunhome Cultural & Creative Design Competition for University Students (2018). 

 

The opening ceremony of this grand three-in-one event was attended by a group of senior government officials: Huang Longrong (member of the Party Leadership Group of Chengdu Federation of Trade Unions), Yu Zhiping (member of the Standing Committee of Jinjiang District CPC Committee, Secretary of Jinjiang District Disciplinary Inspection Commission & Director of Jinjiang District Supervisory Commission), Zou Yan (Deputy Director of Jinjiang District People's                    Congress), Lin Hong (Vice President of Jinjiang District Federation of Trade Unions & Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Federation), Luo Zengfu (Deputy Director of the Department of Workers’ Rights & Benefits of Chengdu Federation of Trade Unions), Sun Tao (Secretary of the CPC Working Committee of Dongguang Sub-district of Jinjiang District), Zhou Jing (Director of Dongguang Sub-district Office) and others. Also present were Usunhome’s senior management led by Qiu Wei, Chairman of Usunhome Group & Usunhome Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd., and He Ping, co-founder and Vice Chairman of Usunhome Group & President of Usunhome Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd. Moreover, heads of the schools of art from many universities in Chengdu and guests from investment and art institutions also took part in the ceremony.

 

“The EXPO is our tribute to the spirit of craftsmanship, and our enthusiastic response to the state’s ‘Nationwide Business Startup and Innovation’ initiative”, said Mr. Qiu Wei in his opening address, “It speaks volumes about the Gallery’s purpose to ‘Provide Public Service and Promote Cross-field and Academic Development’ and all our actual endeavors to fulfill this purpose. It is also one of our ways to follow Chengdu’s Action Plan for Developing into the Cultural & Creative Center in Western China and to follow Jinjiang District’s strategy to develop into the ‘New Economic Hub & International District’. We will never cease to blaze trails that boost Nationwide Business Startup and Innovation in cultural and creative industries to contribute to cultural and economic development.” According to Mr. Qiu Wei, the 1st Usunhome Cultural & Creative Design Competition for University Students sets out to spread creative ideas and the spirit of craftsmanship and stimulate more youngsters’ participation in cultural and creative DIY works so that people will get to appreciate the vitality of China’s young generation of makers.

Located alongside Chengdu’s beautiful East Lake, Usunhome Art Gallery is a public service art institution wholly owned by Usunhome Group. It is an important part of East Lake Creative Music Talent Center, one of the first group of cultural and creative parks approved by Chengdu Municipal People’s Government. Its mission is to provide public art education, spread contemporary art, promote knowledge production and facilitate diversified and cross-field development of contemporary art. Brand new after the upgrading, it welcomes art and culture lovers from all over the globe.

Having made the most of the interactive exhibition area of over 2000 m2, the 1st J-Makers EXPO comprises cool creative works of masterful makers from all corners of China, with the attendance of DIY makers and aficionados, AcToys aces, authoritative experts, etc. It is a big creative DIY art feast centered on ACG (Anime, Comic and Games) culture.

The event is held until 2nd December 2018. The very eye-catching exhibits are great works by skilled hands: fine and delicate flowers made of silk and jewels, trendy and whimsical steampunk machines, impressive architectural paper model in miniature, etc. The excitement aroused by those exhibits is heightened by other engaging interactive activities: RC cars show off their skills in sandboxes; RC model boats cruise proudly on East Lake; VEX robots exhaust all they’ve got to compete with one another; makers let curious visitors in on their tricks of the trade at DIY workshops. 

 

Generous gifts are also one of the highlights of the event. The luckiest visitors who manage to collect all J-Makers stamps will get the artworks of the greatest J-Maker. VIP DIY experience activities are readily available. Visitors’ enthusiasm has thus been greatly aroused. The event is full of life and spice also because of J-Makers seminars that share invaluable experience and an unconventionally creative warm-up exhibition for the Cultural & Creative Design Competition for University Students.

Youth withers without creativity. This time, the 1st Usunhome Cultural & Creative Design Competition for University Students sets “Chengdu” as the subject. It craves the best creative works and talents from universities across the country.

The competition gives many coveted awards. Winners will become contracted designers for Usunlife Space, enter the talent pool of a cultural and creative talent grooming initiative, get monetary prizes, to name but a few.