From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated:2025-08-22
Nearly 30 art students from institutions including the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Normal University and Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts gathered on Yantian’s seaside boardwalk this week for a special session organized under the “Mountain-Sea Urban Gallery” initiative. Working on location amid coastal vistas, the participants produced plein air paintings depicting the district’s distinctive urban and natural scenery.
A live saxophone jazz performance mingled with the sound of the surf, creating an atmospheric soundtrack that drew passersby and tourists to pause and watch. Students took cues from emblematic local scenes — from the quiet ambience of the Lighthouse Library to the sweeping scale of the Yantian Port container terminals — translating the “mountain-sea-harbor” character of the area into contemporary works.
“Returning to Yantian has rekindled the creative passion of my student days,” said Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts student Li Jiahe. “I want to record this beauty with my brush as a memento of youth.” Organizers said the event provided both an opportunity for hands-on creation and an accessible cultural moment for residents and visitors.
The “Mountain-Sea Urban Gallery” is a key cultural development effort by Yantian District. Leveraging the region’s natural and urban landscape, the project aims to create a multifunctional public arts space that integrates plein air creation, exhibitions, cultural markets and performances.