Laoting clay sculpture experiences a revival

Into schools

In 2017, Laoting clay figurines were listed as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, and Zhao, who is a county-level master craftsman, will soon become the first provincial-level master.

His plans coincide with those of Dong. "I must work hard and make great strides in the production of clay figurines, creating pieces of even better quality," Zhao said.

Laoting clay figurines now feature on the syllabus at the district's No 2 and No 4 experimental primary schools.

Clay sculpture classes are aimed at encouraging more young people to fall in love with the art and, eventually, produce more craftsmen like Zhao.

Yue Jing, an art teacher in Laoting county, said that schools are a fertile ground for passing on the skills. Introducing local intangible cultural heritage into the syllabus is of extraordinary significance.

Children can play and at the same time learn to appreciate art and see the aesthetic value of the figurines.

And what's more important, it guarantees that this traditional craft will be passed on to the next generation.

Xinhua