"Painter Village" Trees at the Foot of Tianshan Mountain | Artist | Tianshan Mountain
Guangming Daily reporter Li Hui
Walking into Xiaozhe Village, Xindi Township, Jimusaer County, Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang, one can see lush trees, blooming mountain flowers, and fresh and elegant courtyards, exuding a simple and elegant atmosphere. Looking into the distance, the green mountains are as clear as Dai, the blue sky is as clear as washing, and the snow on the mountaintop is all visible.
On the first floor of the Fujian Xinjiang Artist Creation Exchange Base, Meng Erhu, the director of the Painting Department at the Xinjiang Academy of Art, is giving art classes to students. This year, Meng Erhu and his colleagues brought 368 students to the small molecule village for research and learning.
"The small molecule village has a profound agricultural culture and unique scenery, making it a rare 'treasure trove' for artistic creation." Meng Erhu told reporters, "The villages here are freely scattered in plains, slopes, and hills, with ups and downs in a staggered manner, and the scenery is more natural, simple, and picturesque."
Small molecule village is located at the foot of the East Tianshan Mountains, attracting many artists like Meng Erhu to settle and create here. In recent years, more and more artists have established studios in the village, and the small molecule village has evolved from an unknown small mountain village to a well-known "painter village".
In 2017, in order to attract artists to settle in rural areas for artistic creation, Xindi Township introduced a series of incentive policies, allowing painters to stay in the countryside with peace of mind. According to Zhou Yan'e, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Township Mayor of Xindi Township, 31 artists have settled in the "Painter Village", including painters, writers, documentary directors, and others.
In order to revitalize the idle homestead resources in the village, the village collective has also established the Agricultural Tourism Health and Wellness Homestay Service Co., Ltd. to repair dilapidated homesteads and develop rural tourism.
"Village cadres and veteran party members are taking the lead, and the participation of villagers is increasing. More and more residential resources are being revitalized, and 19 homestays have been opened in the village. The villagers have had tourism meals," Wu Xiaoming, the secretary of the small molecule village party branch, told reporters.
The seeds of art have taken root in the village and also stimulated the villagers' enthusiasm for creation. Villagers Ma Shengxi and Zhang Hong picked up their paintbrushes and became famous farmer painters. "Before, the three of us used to survive in 8 acres of land. Since the painters arrived, we have also learned to draw from them and painted our prosperous days." Ma Shengxi said.
"Art is deeply rooted in Xindi Township, injecting economic development momentum into small molecule villages and nourishing the spiritual world of the masses. 'Rural+Art' has great prospects for promoting rural revitalization," said Zhou Yan'e.
Nowadays, the roads in "Painter Village" have become wider and cleaner, and the environment in the village has become more beautiful. With cultural background, the tourism industry in the village is more attractive and vibrant, and the potential driving force for rural revitalization is constantly surging outward.
