Nanshan District has officially opened registration for the 2025 Natural Art Season, inviting participants to explore the hidden mangrove wetlands within the city, engage in immersive natural art experiences, and reflect on the importance of environmental protection.
Since its launch in 2018, this annual event blends art with ecology to inspire local residents — especially schoolchildren — to observe, understand, and raise awareness about the environment through creative expression and green living.
The 2025 edition offers a rich program led by experts from the fields of ecology, art, design, and architecture. Children aged 6 to 14 will have opportunities to explore, discover, communicate, and co-create in nature.
Key highlights include:
Master lectures: Ecologists and scholars will share fascinating stories about Shenzhen's ecosystems, revealing the delicate rhythms and interconnections of local wildlife and habitats.
Ecological guided tours: Participants will visit OCT Wetland Park, known as the "Coastal Wetland Ecology Museum," to witness migratory birds, flowering plants, and other natural phenomena up close.
Materials and structures class: Young "natural architects" will collaborate with professional architects to learn about three-dimensional composition and structural design, creating imaginative "mini wetland buildings," "fantasy creature nests," or "light and shadow installations" using wire, paper, and blocks.
Art workshops: Utilizing a mentor co-creation system and problem-based learning, these workshops encourage environmental reflection and creative expression through installations, sculptures, and paintings, fostering teamwork and innovative ideas in environmental art.
Young guides: Child participants will share stories behind their artworks and cooperation experiences, which will be recorded on video for broader sharing and inspiration.
Children explore natural habitats on a guided tour during the 2024 Nanshan Natural Art Season.
Who can participate?
Teams formed by primary and secondary school students along with their teachers or parents from Nanshan District and greater Shenzhen are welcome. Eligible groups include school clubs, community organizations, and parent-child teams. Each team should consist of 4 to 7 members, with children comprising the majority and at least one adult to assist with documentation.
Exhibition venue:
All art installations will be displayed outdoors along "Zero Road" in OCT Wetland Park, offering a scenic public gallery.
Scenic view of OCT Wetland Park, the main venue for the Natural Art Season's outdoor exhibitions.
Registration details:
The registration deadline is July 10. Each team must submit:
One outdoor art installation;
An A0-size mind map illustrating their creative process;
A 5-minute video showcasing their work and reflections.
For full event schedules and registration instructions, please follow the official WeChat account of the Nanshan District Natural Art Season.
