Rural museum in a suburb of Shanghai offers urban dwellers and their children a pastoral perspective and helps local residents connect with their creative side, Yang Feiyue reports.

A dusk view of the Ke Art Museum that has popularized art and boosted rural tourism in Liantang town, Qingpu district, Shanghai. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

A rural art museum is becoming a popular weekend getaway for city dwellers. Several two-story buildings featuring gray tiles and white walls are scattered across a green rice paddy at Liantang town, Qingpu district, about one hour's drive from downtown Shanghai.

Visitors come and go, strolling along the footpaths that crisscross the farm, while workers toil in the field nearby.

The idea is to expose visitors to the "art in the dirt's fragrance", according to Li Xiaoshan, curator of the Ke Art Museum.

"Previously, it was just a deserted factory, with desolate farmlands on the perimeter," says Li. "Factories are no longer allowed to operate here, because it's a water source preservation area."

Local government has been trying for some time to introduce culture and tourism programs, as the town has attempted to adjust the structure of its local industry. It wasn't until 2017, when a few artists came and soon reached a deal with local authorities, that it was decided to remodel the unused land into an art museum.

Visitors appreciate an exhibition at the museum, which has focused on showing works that reflect local culture and rural life. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The museum was built to modern standards. Its architecture style resembles courtyards typical of those found in the region south of the Yangtze River. It covers an area of just below 1 hectare, with more than 1,200 square meters of exhibition space. Each ticket costs 20 yuan (US$2.87).

In the exhibition area, visitors can appreciate art that mostly reflects local culture and rural life. "The pieces reflect the lifestyle of the local villagers, which strikes a chord with visitors, and thus attracts more people to come," says Tao Chen, an official in charge of the museum's operation.

"The establishment of an art museum in a rural area also provides an opportunity to those who may never have visited one before, and it's the most meaningful part."

The museum hosts eight to 10 exhibitions a year and invites young artists and local farmers to engage in art creation－mostly focused on local rural life, culture and farming tools and techniques－and the artists are encouraged to explain their work to the audience.

Tao says the museum not only operates at the standard of a top art museum, but also promotes the local culture. "We hope to involve more villagers and have them join in with artwork development," Tao says.

At the moment, the museum's pastoral art season, which opened in May, has been popular with visitors from the city.

"The number of visits has grown steadily since the art season began, especially during weekends, when many parents bring their children to experience a rural idyll while visiting the exhibition," Tao says.

The museum's architecture resembles courtyards typical of those found in the region south of the Yangtze River. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The museum is also equipped with special spaces, including those for meetings, research and on-site porcelain production. Public facilities, such as a customer center, cafe, bookstore and courts for basketball and tennis are available to vary the visitors' experience.

In August 2019, the museum and its surroundings were upgraded. Exquisite sculptures have been installed to embellish the museum's environment. Pedestrian lanes have been paved and hundreds of peach trees were planted in an orchard next to the museum.

The museum has played a positive role in boosting rural tourism, improving the local environment and popularizing art, according to the local government.

Its opening has changed rural life as well.

"Villagers were curious, but wary of the museum at first, but then gradually made their way inside," says Lu Jiangang, a senior official with Jinqian village of Liantang town. "They don't necessarily understand (the artworks) but are indeed attracted to them, and some also bring their children here," Lu says.

An increasing number of local residents have begun to practice calligraphy and painting since the museum opened, Lu adds.

In China, art museums are mostly situated in the cities and urban centers, with few museums found in rural areas, explains Chen Rui, an exhibition planner. So far, economic development has outpaced that of rural culture and an art museum can help art take root in small villages, Chen says.

Speaking about future development, Tao says more space will be explored and more group activity programs will be introduced at Ke Art Museum.

Facilities offering pastoral art and related experiences will be built.

"Farming activities will be customized based on tourism requirements to encourage more visits," Tao says, adding that the surrounding farmlands will be redesigned to ensure every season offers various programs for visitors to join in and experience the rural life.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn