Recently, the first phase of the Guyan Huaxiang Global Art Partner Program has officially launched, welcoming nine artists from France, Italy, Belgium and other countries for a month-long creative residency.
At the same time, the Guyan Huaxiang Art Center received an Honorary Nomination at the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) Awards for Architecture 2025. Blending a thousand-year-old irrigation heritage landscape with contemporary artistic expression, Guyan Huaxiang is rapidly emerging as a new international destination for artistic creation, cultural exchange and creative collaboration.
From Residency to Co-Creation
Built on the principles of “Create Together, Grow Together, and Thrive Together”, the program encourages artists not only to develop new work but also to actively participate in building a sustainable artistic ecosystem.
The program spans a wide range of creative fields, including cultural tourism integration, public art, local cultural interpretation, ecological art, and digital cross-media experimentation. It emphasizes meaningful connections between artistic practice, local resources, industries, and public spaces.
During the first one-month residency, participating artists will complete the entire creative process—from field research and concept development to production and public presentation. Final works will be showcased through exhibitions or public art installations, while the partnership framework will extend the impact of artistic practices into broader cultural and market opportunities.
The program offers flexible residency formats, including short-term immersion residency (2–3 weeks), project-based residency (1–3 months), long-term creative residency (3–6 months), and self-funded residency options. Residencies must last at least two weeks, with financial support generally available for up to three months.
Eligible artists will be provided with studio space, travel subsidies, and access to collaborative opportunities such as international exhibitions, annual showcases, co-branded cultural product development, and market distribution channels.
A Place Where Ecology and Art Thrive Together
Located in Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, Guyan Huaxiang is a National AAAA Tourist Attraction and home to a World Irrigation Structure Heritage site as well as a UNESCO-recognized heritage area.
Stretching along both banks of the Oujiang River, the area is renowned for its pristine natural environment, exceptional air quality, and rich ecological resources.
As the birthplace of the Lishui Barbizon Oil Painting Movement and one of China’s leading destinations for plein-air painting and artistic practice, Guyan Huaxiang attracts approximately 150,000 artists, students, and art enthusiasts each year. More than 300 universities, academies, and institutions have established long-term teaching and practice bases and partnerships here, creating a vibrant community where artists and local residents live, work, and create together.
The unique combination of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and artistic vitality has made Guyan Huaxiang one of China’s most distinctive creative destinations.
Open Year-Round for Global Applications
The program welcomes applications from practitioners working in visual arts, spatial and material arts, performance and sound art, film, photography, storytelling, and other interdisciplinary creative practices.
Applicants are required to submit a residency project proposal, curriculum vitae, portfolio, and portrait photograph through the program’s official WeChat Mini Program or via email at gyhx_artcenter@163.com. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program Location:No. 9 Tongyuan Road, Dagangtou Town, Liandu District, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China
More than a destination, Guyan Huaxiang is a living and evolving artistic ecosystem. Artists from around the world are invited to join this growing creative community, engage with the local culture and landscape, and contribute to a dynamic platform for artistic innovation, collaboration, and exchange.
Media Contact
Company Name: Guyan Huaxiang Art Center
Contact Person: International Communications Office
Email: Send Email
Country: China
Website: http://www.lsgyhx.com/index.html
