The 3rd Bangsaen Gallery 2024

Period: March 1 – 10, 2024
Project Manager: Assistant Professor Dr. Bunchoo Bunlikhitsiri (Associate Dean for Administration and International Affairs, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts)

Background of the Project

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global tourism. In response, the Bangsaen Gallery project was initiated in Saensuk Municipality, Chonburi Province, based on the concept that cultural capital, including artistic heritage and performing arts was a valuable asset passed down through generations. This cultural wealth had the potential to generate substantial national revenue.

The Bangsaen Gallery project aimed to make art museums and galleries more accessible to the public and to promote artistic and cultural activities that could drive social engagement and creative community spaces. The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, along with its network of partners in art, culture, and design, organized The 3rd Bangsaen Gallery 2024. This third edition, held in 2024, sought to promote local traditions and cultural heritage while serving as a bridge connecting artistic narratives with the community through the perspectives of artists.

The project also expanded creative community networks, linking government agencies, private sector businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and cultural professionals, spanning from the local level in Chonburi to the national and international arenas. Additionally, it fostered new and diverse tourism trends by establishing annual cultural events and man-made attractions that enhanced the tourism sector. This initiative not only revitalized the community’s spirit but also strengthened the creative industry within the framework of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), contributing to national economic growth. The project ultimately aligned with the Creative Economy policy, supporting artists and creatives in presenting contemporary art and culture alongside the unique cultural context of the city.

Objectives

1. To establish an annual festival featuring new man-made attractions, promoting a more diverse tourism industry in Chonburi that could cater to a wider range of visitors.
2. To preserve and promote local traditions and cultural heritage through artistic and cultural activities that were integrated into their surroundings, making art museums and galleries more accessible via hotels, restaurants, and cafés.
3. To enhance the quality of life in the area by leveraging art and cultural capital to generate income and foster a stronger, more cohesive community through artistic engagement.
4. To elevate the value of public spaces by incorporating art and design into the urban landscape, enriching the community’s aesthetic and cultural environment.
5. To develop and strengthen networks among artists, government agencies, private enterprises, business owners, and cultural professionals, spanning from the local creative sector in Chonburi to national and international levels.

Project Details

The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, in collaboration with various organizations, including Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Saensuk Municipality, the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (Ministry of Culture), the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), Chonburi Provincial Tourism and Sports Office, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Pattaya Office), the Chonburi Provincial Cultural Office, the Association for the Promotion and Development of Photography, Panasonic Lumix, and local hotels, restaurants, and cafés organized The 3rd Bangsaen Gallery 2024, featuring the following activities:

• ART IN CAFÉ & HOTEL: Brought art and culture to the public and tourists by integrating artistic and cultural exhibitions into Bangsaen’s Café Hopping culture, displaying works in cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
• MUSIC & PERFORMANCE: Showcased musical and performance art that reflected cultural heritage, engaging audiences in restaurants and cafés.
• ART WORKSHOP: Provided educational sessions on various aspects of art and design to festival attendees.
• FILM ON THE BEACH: Featured screenings of films on the sandy shores of Bangsaen Beach.
• ART BIKE TOUR: Offered a guided cycling tour featuring art installations and cultural activities along designated routes, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
• ART TALK: Created a platform for local artists to foster an Artist Ecosystem. The 2024 theme was “Creative City Development Through Art in Eastern Coastal Tourist Destinations.” Featured keynote speakers included:
  • Dr. Kamol Tassananchalee (National Artist, 1997, Visual Arts)
  • Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch (Silpathorn Award Winner, 2010, Design)
  • Pichit Virankabutra (Deputy Director of the Creative Economy Agency, CEA)

Impacts

The project successfully enhanced urban spaces by integrating art and design into Bangsaen’s landscape while boosting the revenue of local businesses through increased attendance at the annual art festival. By developing man-made attractions, the initiative strengthened Chonburi’s tourism sector, attracting a diverse range of visitors and reinforcing local traditions and cultural heritage.

The Bangsaen Gallery 2024 event received widespread publicity, generating significant offline and online engagement, with over 500,000 online interactions and more than 30,000 attendees. Additionally, the festival fostered skill development in art and design through various workshops, helping participants gain valuable professional experience.

Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 11 / 4 / 8