Unlike her usual routine of heading straight home after work, Ivona Jankovic instead found herself in an art studio in Tianjin one evening in March, attempting traditional Chinese landscape painting for the first time.

The workshop was led by Wei Yunfei, a senior artist and professor at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. For Jankovic, a Serbian national with no prior experience, the art form had long felt distant.

Participants were taught to paint classic elements of the form using traditional brush and ink techniques. As Jankovic hesitated over her work, Wei encouraged her to "paint freely" and trust her instincts.

"I used to think Chinese painting was only black ink," she said. "I didn't expect such vibrant colors, like cinnabar red."

Wei explained that the color symbolizes prosperity and auspiciousness in Chinese culture, adding that hands-on experience helps people better understand the techniques and the traditions behind the art.

The class took place at the Sun Qifeng Art Museum, part of the Tianmei Art District, now one of Tianjin's most popular cultural destinations. The area features open studios, exhibitions, and workshops.

Its openness is intentional. "People can walk in and experience art directly," Wei said.

That accessibility marks a sharp contrast to just a few years ago. The district was once dominated by aging factories and rundown housing, with little to draw visitors.

In 2023, local authorities launched an urban renewal project centered on integrating education, community, and public space.

"The idea is to merge the campus with the city," said Wang Zhongmou of the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. "When you enter the district, you are already part of the academy."

Today, transparent classrooms and working studios allow the public to observe and engage, turning art education into a shared, everyday experience.

Li Yuheng, Jin Beiyi, and Liu Zhenyi contributed to this story.