Introduction to the HanTang Paper Mill International Artist Residency Program

Program Background

HanTang Paper Mill is located in Jing County, nestled in the mountainous region of southern Anhui Province in southeastern China, alongside the scenic Qingyi River. The area is known for its harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, long cherished by scholars, poets, and artists throughout Chinese history. Jing County is internationally renowned as the “Hometown of Rice Paper,” with a papermaking tradition that stretches back over a thousand years and a deep-rooted legacy in calligraphy and painting. The surrounding landscape is dotted with traditional Huizhou-style villages, characterized by whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs. These settlements, interwoven with ancient stone bridges, flowing streams, tea gardens, and bamboo groves, form a living ink painting of the Chinese countryside.

The region is also rich in cultural and historical significance. Zhaji, an ancient village nearby, retains the urban fabric and architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is one of the largest and best-preserved Huizhou-style villages in China. Taohua Tan (Peach Blossom Pool) is immortalized in a famous verse by the Tang poet Li Bai—“Though Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, it cannot compare to Wang Lun’s parting love”—serving as a poetic meeting point between the past and present. Additionally, sites of revolutionary history, such as the former headquarters of the New Fourth Army, contribute further to the region’s rich cultural landscape.

Starting from Jing County, several world-class cultural and natural heritage sites are within approximately one hour’s drive:

- Huangshan (Yellow Mountain): Famous for its oddly shaped pines, dramatic granite peaks, sea of clouds, and hot springs, it has long served as a source of inspiration for traditional Chinese landscape painting.

- Mount Jiuhua: One of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, known for its solemn atmosphere and suitability for meditation and spiritual retreat.

- Hongcun Village: A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, often referred to as a “village in a painting” for its picturesque setting and well-preserved architecture.

- Shexian County: The cultural heart of Huizhou, celebrated as the hometown of the “Four Treasures of the Study: Brush, Inkstick, Paper, Inkstone,” with numerous ancient villages, academies, and traditional Huizhou-style buildings.

- Tunxi (Tunxi District): A cultural and transportation hub in southern Anhui, known for its historic old street, local cuisine, and vibrant creative industry.

During their residency in Jing County, artists will find themselves in an environment that is both tranquil and historically rich, where natural landscapes and cultural heritage converge. Immersed in the atmosphere of the Rice-Paper Art Festival, they are offered fertile ground for contemporary artistic inspiration.

Each year, HanTang Paper Mill hosts an International Rice-Paper Art Festival, with the residency program serving as a key component. Participating artists are invited to take part in a variety of festival activities, fostering dialogue, exchange of ideas, and creative exploration.

Program Mission

The HanTang Paper Mill International Artist Residency aims to establish a cross-cultural exchange platform with art as its medium, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration between artists from China and around the world. Located in Jing County—the birthplace of rice paper and a core region of Huizhou culture—the program is grounded in both rich artisanal traditions and a deep humanistic spirit.

Through this residency, we strive to:

- Invite artists from around the globe to visit the birthplace of rice paper and experience firsthand the history and craftsmanship behind the “Four Treasures of the Study”

- Encourage creative inspiration through dialogue and hands-on practice, using rice paper as a cultural medium for contemporary expression

- Promote the international visibility of rice paper and traditional Chinese craftsmanship, fostering deeper cultural understanding and artistic co-creation

- Build an inclusive, open, and diverse creative environment, allowing the stories of Huizhou to be seen and heard through contemporary art.

Residency Duration and Application Process

This program begins annually on October 10 and lasts for 20 days: October 10-30

Application deadline: September 1, 2025

Application method:

Applicants must provide:

- One recent personal photo and one photo at work

- One personal CV

- One portfolio (including no fewer than 10 images of artworks)

We are accepting applications from artists worldwide working in various media. All creators interested in Chinese rice paper, the Four Treasures of the Study, and Huizhou culture are welcome to apply.

Application email: hantangresidency@gmail.com  
Contact person: Liu Jian

Number of participants: 20–25 artists will be selected for each session

Selection method: A review will be conducted by an academic committee to ensure a fair, professional, and academically rigorous selection process

- Once selected, artists will receive an official invitation letter to support their application for a Chinese visa.

- Accommodation and Meals: Each artist will be provided with a private hotel room and three meals per day.

Material Support:

- Various types and sizes of rice paper will be supplied

- Basic painting materials will be provided, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor

- Artists are expected to bring their own supplies for any special or non-standard media

-  Studio Space: Shared and individual workspaces will be available for creation

Art Sharing and Exchange:

 -  Daily artist presentations (PPT required)

-  Residency exchanges with invited local artists

Cultural Excursions:

 - Visits to nearby cultural and natural heritage sites such as Zhaji Ancient Village, Taohuatan (Peach Blossom Pool), and the old city of Shexian

Traditional Craft Experience:

- In-depth visit to the local Rice Paper Museum to learn about the complete papermaking process

Final Exhibition:

-  A group exhibition will be held at a local gallery at the end of the residency

-  Outstanding works may be recommended for exhibition at Xingtan Art Museum in Beijing

Publicity Support:

-  A professional promotional video and artist interviews will be produced, serving both as artist promotion and archival documentation for the residency program