From 27 to 29 June, the Open University of China (OUC) held 2022 series of online calligraphy seminars for backbone teachers. It was sponsored by the OUC Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development and conducted by the Faculty of Humanities. 547 teachers from 36 branches and 158 tutorial centres of the national open-education system took part.
The series invited the famous calligraphy educator Prof. Pang Zhonghua, as well as six middle-aged and young calligraphers from prestigious domestic universities, to lead individual seminars. Starting from the basics of calligraphy, and covering its aesthetic characteristics, the teachers proceeded to relate calligraphy to Chinese culture and tradition. The work of Wang Xizhi was studied as well as the style and development of hard-pen calligraphy as a unique category. The teachers used simple language, and dealt with the problems calligraphers face. The participants stated that they would continue to study calligraphy, and teach it as well.
Prof. Pang Zhonghua leading a seminar.
The OUC Faculty of Humanities introduced the new Calligraphy programme (starting from the junior-college level) in spring of 2022 to calligraphy teachers and lovers in the OUC system. Ren Tianchun, head of the major in the Faculty of Humanities, and dean of the OUC Painting and Calligraphy Art Education Research Institute, introduced the basics of the programme. Xu Hang, leader of a specialised course, introduced the construction of such courses, while Liu Feiyun, a teacher from Qingdao RTVU, spoke of the experiences and achievements of the Qingdao branch in setting up a Calligraphy programme and organising teaching.
OUC teachers and technical-support personnel assisting the online seminars.
Calligraphy by Zhao Zhuosheng, Ha'erbin branch
Calligraphy by Li Jianqiang, Wuhan branch
Calligraphy by Liu Yunfei, Qingdao branch
Calligraphy by Qin Si, Xi'an branch
The three-day series concluded on 29 June, with 394 OUC teachers obtaining certificates of completion. It trained calligraphy teachers for the OUC system, improved their understanding and skill, and laid a foundation for the development of calligraphy education at the OUC.
By OUC