Introduction
Sanxia is a city in Taipei County well known for its rich cultural atmosphere, including such attractions as the Sanxia Minquan Old Street, History Museum, Temple of the Ancestors, Li Mei-Shu Memorial Gallery, and the famous Sanxia blue dye. These sites not only draw tourists but represent important cultural assets of Taipei County. The diverse wealth of highly-acclaimed works by Sanxia’s artists stir the emotions, express social concern, build self-identity, and promote the region as well as a variety of cultural activities. Therefore, this year we have created a better designed and more detailed Sanxia artists map. Activities are planned and arranged based on artistic concepts, and other groups, social development associations, village offices, and community/local resources are being integrated to promote this series of cultural events.
Activities
1. Sanxia Artist Map Handbook Through interviews and photography, citizens inventory and connect artistic resources with the helpof artists in order to create a beautiful and memorable Sanxia Artist Map. 2. Creative Art Market Artists and art teachers/students are Invited to exhibit their creations and conduct artistic exchange at the bustling Old Street Telecommunication Plaza, and hold an attractive art auction. Also included: DIY art activities and artistic performances. 3. Art Education Promotion Applied art courses are offered on appreciation of public art and art therapy (art, music, dance), and activity volunteers trained. 4. Street Marching Fun A “Street Marching” carnival is organized with artistically-costumed community clubs, school members, and residents. Each person prepares a creative costume to attend the event. 5. Joining Hands in Art Artists lead community residents to brainstorm and create a production together, experiencing the work and fun of artistic creation.
Purpose
Based on the energy of the art festival and the goal of promoting art education, combine the efforts of school, community, and art groups as well as individual artists to promote art education activities and develop/inspire local culture in order to raise art appreciation among the public and develop Sanxia City as a cultural center.
Local Attractions
Sanxia Old Street
Originally called Sanjiaoyong Street, Sanxia Old Street was a political and commercial center since the Ching dynasty due to its
location next the shipping wharf. As its fortunes rose and fell with those of the shipping industry, the development of the Old Street is of particular historical and cultural importance. Through the efforts of residents, cultural leaders, and the government, Old Street was renovated, successfully preserving and imparting new life to a 200 meter strip called the Sanxia Minquan Old Street which features Western-style Baroque architecture, Japanese engravings and patterns, and local Taiwanese-style arcaded buildings. While the Old Street has been given a completely new look, stories of the past linger on, carved into its red bricks and preserved within its stone roads. Newly-established dye shops used to flourish in the area, and a number of their signs can still be seen today. Every brick, tile, flower, and plant displays a different part of the history and beauty of Old Street. Temple of the Ancestors The Sanxia Qingshui Temple of the Ancestors was founded during the Ching dynasty to worship the Buddhist monk Qingshui Zushi, and during early times served as a religious center for Anxi immigrants. The temple has been renovated and rebuilt three times, most recently in 1947 when local leader and famed painted Professor Li Mei-Shu gathered craftsmen from all over Taiwan to renovate it using traditional construction methods. Sculptures and carvings are the focal point of temple decorations, with numerous intricate sculptures, columns, and wood/copper sculptures made from local stone and wood, merging antique styles with new innovations and combining a variety of construction methods and artistic styles, showcasing fine craftsmanship.
The Temple of the Ancestors is the pride of Sanxia, representing not only a place of spirituality but an art hall of traditional culture.
The relics and items here have decades of history but still contribute to the rich cultural atmosphere, winning praise and reputation as the “people’s art center,” or “Asian art center.”History Museum The history of Sanxia’s development is contained not only in the Old Street and Temple of the Ancestors but also preserved in the Sanxia History Museum, home to a wealth of historical and artistic materials. The museum served as an administrative center during the Japanese era and was renamed to the Sanxia Town Hall following the end of colonization. At the time, it enjoyed a reputation for being Taiwan’s most beautiful office building. After the new town hall was built, the building lay unused for a period of time until 1999 when it officially opened as the Sanxia History Museum. It is a two-story red brick building combining Japanese and Baroque architectural features, both elegant and exotic. The first floor houses themed art and foreign exchange exhibitions, and the second floor includes a collection of historical material displaying local culture and development. When learning about and enjoying the beauty of the museum, Old Street, and Temple of the Ancestors, please don’t forget to appreciate and care for these important cultural assets.
