China Craft Town in Houma county, Shanxi province, launched a calligraphy, painting and handicraft collection event targeting young people under the age of 16 from across China on Aug 12. The event seeks young people to carry the various skills into the future, and will run until February next year.

More than 300 children together carried out on-site art creation on a 100-meter scroll at the launch ceremony and experienced shadow puppet making and shadow play, paper-cutting, and making lacquer-ware.

The event which lasts until Feb 13 in 2019 is sponsored by China International Painting and Calligraphy Research Association, Children's Art Commission of China Artists Association, Shanxi Arts and Crafts Group and Houma government.

It aims to promote traditional folk craft among the young generation and will seek inheritors of traditional folk craft across China through self-recommendation, audition and expert selection.

The entry category consists of traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, painting, paper-cutting, shadow puppet, clay sculpture, carving and fabric art.

The organizing committee will select 100 young people to be the inheritors of the craft and form a talent team in China Craft Town. Their prize-winning artworks will go on a national tour.

Launched in 2017, China Craft Town, a project based on the culture and arts, food, tourism and health care industries, is Houma county's move to offer a platform for showcasing traditional Chinese crafts and building a regional base for emerging industries.

The handicraft collection event, targeting children around China, will help promote and cultivate talent, innovation and brand incubation in China Craft Town.

Children make handicrafts in China Craft Town in Houma county, Shanxi province, Aug 12. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Children experience shadow puppet making in China Craft Town in Houma county, Aug 12. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]