A corner of the culture-themed streets in Jiading

Jiading District introduced culture-themed streets recently to complete its goal of beautifying its streets and alleys.

Liangshe Road had its walls repainted and trees planted on both sides, giving passers-by the feeling of being in a Chinese art gallery. The Chinese painting and poetry-themed street has 40 painting frames that will regularly showcase different artworks.

The first batch of 40 paintings have been installed, and include calligraphy works and ink and wash paintings.

Cao Xiaohua, a resident of Nanyuan No. 8 Xincun, said he didn’t know much about Chinese calligraphy and paintings, but now the whole street looked enlivened and more beautiful, and it also prevented people from putting illegal advertisements on the walls.

“With the Chinese calligraphy and paintings on the walls, every time when I have picked up my child from school and walked past them, I would stand in front of the art and tell my kid the stories behind the art, and it really helps to lift my mood,” Cao said.

The artworks come from the district’s Nanyuan Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Society, and the street has become a platform for the district’s calligraphy and painting enthusiasts.

One of the society’s member said that previously they could only show their work to family and friends. Now, with this new platform to display their works, they have become more motivated to learn about the arts and create their own calligraphy and paintings to contribute to the community.

The exhibition has encouraged more locals to participate in the community’s art endeavors and the artworks are inspired by the locals’ lives. No high costs are involved and maintenance is relatively easy for the community.

The culture-themed streets are meant to improve the neighborhood environment and raise residents’ taste in art, enabling them to experience the district’s culture and humanistic values, local officials said.

Another two culture-themed sections on Yangchuan Road, between Yecheng Road and Fuhai Road and between Fuhai Road and Yumin Road, will be open to the public soon.