Uijeongbu City Infuses City Hall with a Cultural Touch through 'Citizen Gallery' Spaces

An Artistic Exhibition Space Created
in the Passage Connecting the Main Building and Annex 1

On December 4, Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) toured the 'Citizen Gallery' exhibition spaces set up in the first-floor lobby of the main building and the connecting passage between the main building and Annex 1. During the visit, participants appreciated the artworks and shared opinions on the future direction of the gallery's operation.

Mayor Kim Donggeun is touring the 'Citizen Gallery' exhibition site set up in the connecting passage between the main building and Annex 1 on the 4th. Provided by Uijeongbu City

The Citizen Gallery has been operating in various spaces within the city hall since 2022. Since October, a new exhibition area has also been established in the passage connecting the main building and Annex 1, which is currently in operation.

The passage, which had previously caused discomfort during heat waves and cold spells, has been renovated into a cultural space where both exhibitions and relaxation are possible. It is now established as an open area where employees on their way to work and citizens visiting for administrative services can naturally encounter art.

In particular, throughout December, the exhibition 'Walking Together' by artist Choi Sora is being held, featuring around 20 illustrations and paintings that capture the emotions of city life and everyday moments, displayed in the connecting passage.

As people pass through the corridor lined with artworks, it is common to see citizens and staff pausing to appreciate the pieces. Feedback from visitors has included comments such as "I can feel a cultural atmosphere in the city hall" and "The artist's sensibility refreshes the space."

On this day, Mayor Kim Donggeun viewed the 'Famous Movie Quotes (The Beauty of Hangeul)' calligraphy exhibition by Damun Calligraphy in the first-floor lobby of the main building. He then moved to the connecting passage to encourage artist Choi Sora of 'Walking Together' and listened to suggestions regarding the operation of the exhibition space.

Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "Having works created by citizens fill the city hall is more than just an exhibition; it is a way for Uijeongbu City's administration to breathe together with its citizens. We will continue to create an open city hall where anyone can stay and communicate through art."

Since 2022, the city has operated the 'Citizen Gallery' to display citizens' works and has held a total of 108 exhibitions to date. The exhibition spaces are permanently available in three locations within the city hall: the main entrance lobby on the first floor, in front of the auditoriums on the first and fifth floors of the main building, and the connecting passage between the main building and Annex 1. Anyone-including local artists, clubs, and citizen artists-can apply to exhibit. With continuous citizen participation, the gallery is fulfilling the community's desire for cultural and artistic experiences and has become a space for open communication and participatory administration.

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