Citizens Unite Through Art After Work... Gwangsan District Opens 'Working Citizens Arts Festival'

Performances, Exhibitions, and Labor Juice Performance Held at Gwangsan Pocha
A Variety of Programs Including Exhibitions and Concerts Continue Through August 30

After work, citizens gathered at a street stall to share stories about their day and enjoyed labor-themed artworks at the art gallery. The “Working Citizens Arts Festival @ Gwangsan,” organized by Gwangsan District for the first time, kicked off as an event connecting work, life, and art.

Gwangsan District, Jeonnam Gwangju Special Integrated City, announced on July 16 that it held the signature event of the “1st Working Citizens Arts Festival @ Gwangsan”, called “Gwangsan Pocha”, at Sochon Art Factory on the 15th.

"Gwangsan Pocha" served as the official opening event of the arts festival. It was designed so that, after work, citizens could wrap up their day by enjoying performances and exhibitions in the casual atmosphere of a street stall.

Byungkyu Park, Mayor of Gwangsan District, attended the ‘1st Working Citizens Art Festival @ Gwangsan’ Gwangsan Pocha event held at Sochon Art Factory on the 15th, where he took a commemorative photo raising a ‘Laborju (juice symbolizing laborju)’ with citizens and labor artists. Provided by Gwangsan District

The event featured busking performances, taking commemorative after-work photos, and hands-on programs such as making "Labor Cup". About 200 people participated, including citizens, representatives from labor organizations, and labor artists exhibiting their works.

There was also a segment hosted by DJ Moon Hyung-sik, who introduced stories from participants' workplaces and played their song requests. Attendees joined together to share “Labor Juice” (juice symbolizing labor), encouraging one another.

After the event, participants moved to Cube Art Museum at Sochon Art Factory to view the theme exhibition “Work and Play”, the “Citizens' Workplace Exhibition”, and the “Young Citizens Drawing Exhibition”, among others.

Byungkyu Park, Mayor of Gwangsan District, said, “I hope this festival sheds light on the value found in everyday life and traces of hard work, and that it becomes a celebration that elevates the dignity of all working citizens through art.”

The “1st Working Citizens Arts Festival @ Gwangsan” will continue through August 30. The event includes the main themed exhibition, special exhibitions, and after-work concerts, with the “35th Yong-a Park Yong-cheol National Writing Contest” scheduled for the 18th at Sochon Art Factory.

The themed exhibition, “Work and Play”, features labor-focused works by 23 artists, including “Labor” by Koo Bon-ju, “Labor Standards Act” by Hong Sung-dam, and “Farmer Moon” by Lee Jong-gu. The special exhibition, “Citizens' Workplace Exhibition”, presents works created by pizza shop owners, delivery drivers, physical therapists, lawyers, customer service representatives, and others based on their workplace experiences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.