My Experience with the Balloon Art Activist Program
Since June, I have participated in the 'Balloon Art Activist' program operated by the Saenggeo Jincheon Vitality Center. Although it was my first time trying balloon art and I felt a bit awkward, I had a fulfilling time creating various shapes with my hands. Here is my review of the program.
The Jincheon County operates various programs centered around the Saenggeo Jincheon Vitality Center to enable local residents to engage in diverse activities. The 'Advanced Balloon Art Activist Course' is one of the capacity-building projects for the county, aimed at the residents of Jincheon. This project is designed to improve the living and economic conditions in rural areas through community-led initiatives.
This advanced course goes beyond merely learning balloon art; it prepares residents to acquire new skills and enhance their capabilities as activists. The balloon art classes began with a basic course in 2025, followed by a photo zone decorating class in the first half of 2026. Thanks to the active interest and participation of the residents, the advanced activist course was launched.
The classes were held every Tuesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at the small library on the second floor of the social welfare center in Iwol-myeon. Over a total of eight sessions, a balloon art expert instructor led the classes.
On the first day, we each received a magic balloon and a hand pump from the instructor, and we officially began the class. Before creating balloon sculptures, there are two essential steps: stretching the balloon and massaging it. The instructor guided us step by step through selecting, stretching, and massaging the balloons, making it easy for even a complete beginner like me to follow along.
At first, I was genuinely scared because balloons kept popping all around. With my heart racing, I gathered the courage to twist, bend, pinch, and tie the long magic balloon to create flowers. I realized that to make beautiful flowers, I needed to be a bit bold, keeping in mind that balloons could burst at any moment.
Initially, I couldn't understand how everything connected, but as I followed the instructor's explanations, I gradually created adorable pieces. I was able to make colorful animal characters like dogs, bears, rabbits, cats, and even octopuses using various techniques.
It was fascinating to see how one long balloon could be transformed into multiple shapes. More than anything, touching the colorful balloons after such a long time made me feel a bit like a child again. I felt a sense of pride in the process of creating something tangible with my hands.
At first, I worried about whether I could keep making balloons for the entire two hours. However, once the class started, I focused intensely on not missing a single step, and before I knew it, time flew by. Creating each piece required more time and effort than I had anticipated. While the process of repeating what I learned to become familiar with it was a bit challenging, it was genuinely fun.
Recently, I haven't concentrated on anything this deeply, aside from my smartphone or TV. As I moved my hands and focused, my fingers became a bit sore, but my mind felt at ease, providing a sense of healing. After the final class, I plan to create a club with my fellow learners to continue balloon art activities. We will consider how to utilize balloon art in our community and work together to create opportunities for engagement.
The Saenggeo Jincheon Vitality Center offers various programs for the residents of Jincheon County. If you're interested in any of the programs, I encourage you to give it a try! I hope it becomes an opportunity to enjoy learning and gain new experiences.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jincheongun/224384451774
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