On 13 October, 2023, the School of Art at the Open University of China (OUC), in partnership with the Beijing 798 Meet You Museum, unveiled the "My Encounter with Claude Monet, Van Gogh, and Modernist Masters" event.

This event is a highlight of the School of Art's premier initiative, the "World Famous Painting Training Camp," under the umbrella of the "Online Oil Painting Commune." The showcase celebrates the accomplishments of students who took part in the training camp.

The event was presided over by Professor Tang Yingshan of the School of Art. Niu Tao, another faculty member from the School of Art, gave an insightful overview of the institution's art education approach. Mr. Wang Haixuan, the vice president of Beijing China Cultural Tourism and Creativity Co., Ltd. — the organisation behind the 798 Art Museum — expressed a keen interest in strengthening ties between the two entities. He hopes to launch more collaborative projects that resonate with the public. The gathering drew an audience of over 40 attendees. This included educators from the Online Oil Painting Commune, faculty members of the School of Art, the dedicated members of the "Online Oil Painting Commune" Beijing Art Enthusiasts Club, and students who had contributed to the exhibition.

The "World Famous Painting Training Camp" has, for the first time, expanded its art education outreach to public cultural venues. In collaboration with the Meet You Museum, they organised an event called "Learn to Paint While Viewing the Exhibition". The exhibit showcased authentic pieces by legends like Oscar-Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as works from modernist masters. Alongside these masterpieces, 42 student artworks were on display. Remarkably, these students, ranging in age from 3 to over 60 years, presented their very first oil paintings. Attendees were left in awe of the rich and diverse collection, highlighting the infinite potential of art education. This event truly emphasised the importance of the "Online Oil Painting Commune" as a leading brand for lifelong learning in today's age.

The School of Art recently held a round-table discussion with the Meet You Museum. Both parties recognised that they could leverage each other's strengths, especially when it comes to expanding avenues and techniques in public art education.

By Xie Fan, OUC