Rose Oliver DDA president and DDA member Ms. Virginia Withers were recently invited by the “Shanghai Bo Qu Cultural Centre” to the opening ceremony of the first “Lian Huan Hua Illustrated Book Series Art Exhibition”, at the Bo Qu Museum and Art Ware Exhibition Hall, located in their newly renovated and refurbished “Ban Dao 1919 Culture Centre and Gardens” in Shanghai’s Bao Shan District.
The Centre has recently been established in the heart of Bao Shan’s growing district and has gained support from Shanghai businesses and government for the expansion and development of Bao Shan District’s economy.
The famous Ban Dao 1919 buildings, which date back almost 100 years, were previously founded by a Guang Dong native and were a German textile mill and commercial premises at the turn of the 20th Century.
The beautiful grounds and architecture perfectly compliment the newly developed art exhibition hall and museum of priceless Chinese antiques, porcelains, calligraphy and paintings.
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The Centre played host to the “Lian Huan Hua Illustrated Book Series Art Exhibition and Commemorative Meeting and Convention”,? showcasing the artists work from the book series and celebrating the long history of this nationally renowned series of illustrated children’s story books.
The convention and meeting after the opening ceremony, hoped to introduce and publicize the artists’ work to a new audience and in the hopes the art work can gain popularity and appreciation among the modern generation, just as they did for readers over the last few decades.
The event was filmed by Xin Wen News and reported by the Xin Min newspapers and featured speeches from several prominent artists and leaders, as well as Bo Qu’s President, Mr. Zheng Hai Qing.
Along with other VIPs, Rose Oliver was also invited to say a few words to celebrate cross-cultural exchange and friendship.
Following the opening ceremony, there was a banquet lunch and tour of the museum and art collection; after which the leaders and supporters of the event held their convention to discuss ways forward for the Lian Huan Hua Association in Shanghai and how to possibly introduce the story books into children’s modern education.
The evening ended with a banquet for all the guests.
The art exhibition, featuring some absolutely beautiful and unusual original illustrations from the books, including historical figures from the book series, as well as the other art works and paintings at Bao Dao 1919 Culture Centre, will run from 8th June to 22nd June at:
Ban Dao 1919 Culture Centre and Gardens, No. 2 Exhibition Building, 258 Song Xing Xi Road, Bao Shan District, Shanghai.
Transportation: closest metro station: No. 3 Line’s Song Bin Rd , or by bus 952 from People’s Square to Song Xin Xi Rd bus stop.