Gejia Village in Ninghai county, Ningbo, Zhejiang province, has taken on a brand new look thanks to an artist who has taken up residence in the village.

Cong Zhiqiang, an associate professor from the School of Arts of Renmin College of China, came to the village with three of his students to work with local residents on village reconstruction. 

Cong encouraged villagers to create their own art out of everyday items and natural materials in the village such as stone, bamboo, trees and flowers. 

Inspired by Cong, two local women established family art galleries displaying calligraphy works and hand-made fabric art works that were made by themselves and their family members, which have attracted many visitors. 

Some villagers made chairs out of bamboo and stone and even built a children's playground out of colorful stones. 

Within just 13 days of Cong's arrival, villagers had already renovated eight places, which has not only improved the village aesthetic, but has also increased happiness and brought a sense of achievement to the villagers, said Li Guijun, deputy secretary of the Ninghai Party committee.

Ninghai county launched the artist residency program in villages this spring, offering subsidies to encourage artists to help with local rural revitalization. Many other villages have benefited from the program in addition to Gejia Village.

Local authorities announced earlier this month that they hope to introduce more than 200 artists to at least 150 villages within three years.

An artist in residence in Liyang Village of Ninghai county tells stories to local children. [Photo/zjnews.zjol.com]