873 Works of Art to Be Showcased in Gumi... "Republic of Korea Nakdong Arts Competition" Opens on the 27th

Works from 10 Categories Including Calligraphy, Folk Painting, and Korean Traditional Painting All in One Place

A large-scale exhibition blending traditional and contemporary art will be held in the heart of Gumi during the midsummer.

According to Gumi City, the 19th Republic of Korea Nakdong Arts Competition will take place at the first-floor exhibition hall of GumiCo from July 27 to August 2, 2026.

The 19th Korea Nakdong Art Exhibition Held [Photo by Gumi City]

This event is organized by the Republic of Korea Nakdong Arts Association and sponsored by Gumi City. Out of submissions from across the country, a total of 873 works across 10 categories—including Chinese and Korean calligraphy, literary paintings, calligraphy art, Korean traditional painting, Western painting, folk painting, wood carving, pyrography, and traditional arts—will be exhibited.

The exhibition will offer visitors a comprehensive cultural experience by showcasing a range of genres, from traditional art forms centered on brush calligraphy to calligraphy and paintings with a contemporary sensibility.

The award ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 30, 2026, at the GumiCo exhibition hall, with around 200 recipients and related officials in attendance.

The Republic of Korea Nakdong Arts Association was founded in 1998 based on Baekrimhoe, a local calligraphers' gathering, and officially became a non-profit corporation in 2007. Since then, the association has held the arts competition annually, supporting regional artists' creative activities, fostering new talents, and working to expand the base of traditional arts.

Park Mannyong, President of the Republic of Korea Nakdong Arts Association, stated, "This exhibition harmoniously blends the depth of traditional art with modern expressions. I hope that as people appreciate these works, they can momentarily forget the heat and feel the inspiration of art."

Kim Jang-ho, Mayor of Gumi, expressed, "I hope this event serves as an opportunity to highlight the creative activities of local artists and to satisfy citizens' cultural thirst. We will continue to expand diverse programs so citizens can encounter culture and arts in their daily lives."

Attention is now focused on whether this exhibition, which continues the legacy of traditional arts while encompassing a variety of genres, will establish itself as a genuine platform for broadening the scope of culture and the arts in Gumi.

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