More than 1,000 children had a rare chance to create special art pieces with famous media artist Lee Lee-nam last week as part of an art education program sponsored by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha and the Korean Business Council for the Arts.

The children’s drawings and sculptures will be part of a single media installation piece by Lee that will be shown at the 2012 World Conservation Congress at the International Convention Center in Jeju from Sept. 6-15. Lee is serving as the goodwill ambassador for the WCC.

“I hope art helps children express creativity and set a new dream,” Lee said. 

Most of the youngsters who participated in the Eco Art School program from Aug. 21-23 came from multicultural or low-income families, or have disabilities. Organizers said the program helps underprivileged children, who don’t get to participate in art classes outside of school curriculum, learn about environmental protection and art through hands-on experience.

Thanks to the cooperative project with Hanwha Art Plus Program and the KBCA, dubbed the Korea Mecenat Association, 1,100 children experienced Lee’s unique media art and contributed to making a single piece.

They learned about environmental conservation and its role in reviving the planet and then participated in an art-making session to transform the concept into a real art piece.

“Lee asked the children what they wanted the deserted place to look like in the future and filled the spots with answers from the children,” said one of the organizers at the KBCA.

Director of the KBCA Lee Byung-gwon said the program differentiates itself from other art education programs because it features top artists and extensive support from volunteers and company staff who help run the program once a month.

“Meeting famous artists gives the children motivation and inspiration. And they can learn about the core concept easily through artistic activities,” said Lee.

The Hanhwa Art Plus Program, launched in 2009, conducts art education programs for underprivileged children registered at 61 children’s welfare centers across the country.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)