Museum Island

There are about 170,000 new immigrants and migrant workers living in Taoyuan, and building a new immigrant-friendly city has become the main aim of the city government. Therefore, the city government established the Taoyuan New Immigrants Culture Hall integrating seven units such as the National Immigration Agency and Taoyuan City Government for stationing. In addition to providing social services for the new immigrants and workers, a space named “HOUSE 135” for cultural exchange is available for holding cultural exhibitions and series of promotion events so that the new immigrants can interact with each other by displaying their diversified cultural characteristics. Through demonstrating the rich features and life stories of the Southeast Asian culture while promoting the concept of friendliness and tolerance for multiple cultures and cultural rights, HOUSE 135 will be filled with multiple colors woven by cultures from different countries in the future.

We found a new path for oyster shells from the question, “What is the value in a discarded oyster?” By upholding the Wong-Gong spirit which is indomitable and fearless of difficulties, we started off our journey of promoting the art of the oyster shell by silently promoting in local campuses and by triggering the creativity and interest of the students. Thanks to the support given by the Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan in 2003 and 2004, the Wang Gong Oyster Cultural Association has successfully promoted the art of the oyster shell, and it has gradually taken its root in the local area. It has received warm responses from the locals, and is widely acclaimed by foreigners. There are more and more art lovers, tourists, and returnees that have come to ask for a visit. In 2005, the Multiple Employment Promotion Program was starting to be carried out with the support of the Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan. Villagers were all very enthusiastic in providing their oyster shells for all of us to appreciate the beauty of oyster shell art together. The bonding and interaction between the community has never been closer, thanks to the art of the oyster shell. More importantly, the development of the art of the oyster shell may generate business opportunities in this fishing village and create job opportunities, which may also facilitate the communication and interaction between a community of diverse cultures, including aboriginals, foreign brides, and seniors. The study of the art of the oyster shell started in 2001, and the Wong Gong Oyster Cultural Association was officially established in January of 2004. There are hundreds of art work holdings in the centers, which include portraits, migrant birds, poultry, and seashore wildlife composed of materials such as clay, paints, driftwoods, sea sand, and lead threads, in various art forms including painting, carving, ceramics, silk screen printing, and weaving. The showroom was rebuilt from the original grocery store into personal workshops and exhibition halls, but with the development of the art of the oyster shell, we might need a larger space for our staff, visitors, and field trip groups, and to utilize it as a venue for the sustainable operation of the art of the oyster shell, in which we can carry out research and development, exhibition, and education programs. Apart from this, we must be dedicated to obtaining more equipment, organize the archives of our holdings, and create a self-sufficient marketing system to provide for ourselves.

In 2000, the government decided that the fireworks show on the double 10 holiday would be not be held in Taipei, but in a southern city - Kaohsiung. During the search for a suitable location for the fireworks show, people found the Pier-2 warehouse next to the harbor. A group of zealous and hot-blooded artists founded the Pier-2 Art Development Association in 2001 and thus helped the Pier-2 Art Center become the base for art and culture development in southern Taiwan. In 2006, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government took over the operation of the Pier-2 Art Center. It has held several events that are full of the creativity and characteristics of the city, including the Kaohsiung Design Festival, The Delight of Chinese Character Festival, Steel and Iron Sculpture Festival, Container Art Festival, the Here Come Kaohsiung People Figure, and the Live Warehouse Music Concert. The energetic Pier-2 Art Center continues to bring us brand new concepts and face and construct the charming culture and art of living in the harbor city.

In order to promote the local culture level and enhance the cultural constructions in the community, we have respectfully invited Dr. Chi-Lu, Chen, the Chairman of the National Culture and Arts Foundation, Jung-Tsung, Chien, Minister of Taiwan Historica, Hao-Tien, He, the former curator of the National Museum of History, Teng-Ke, Hung, Mayor of Beimen Township, and Wan-Chan, Hou, Chairman of our temple to held the groundbreaking ceremony of the “Donglong Cultural Center” on November 1, 1995 under the consensus of our directors and supervisors. The construction was finished in 1996. 　　Donglong Cultural Center is situated to the south of our temple, covering an area of 965 square meters with one floor below ground level and seven floors above ground level, taking up 3517 square meters in total. The foundation, beams, columns, and floor are constructed with permanent copper reinforced concrete structures. The exterior of the Donglong Cultural Center is designed in accordance with the northern style palace of our nation, with drawings of dragons, phoenixes, and vegetation, the vermilion columns, railings in relief, and cloud shaped sculptures covered with golden glazed roof tiles exude a sense of solemnity and elegance, meanwhile showcasing its imposing appearance. Donglong Cultural Center is a modernized but also antique standard building equipped with a central air conditioning system and elevators.