The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Burapha University aims to utilize art and culture as a driving force to strengthen community production, creative industries, and local economic development. The faculty plays a significant role in promoting academic excellence while developing artistic and cultural activities that contribute to social development and the enhancement of creative spaces within communities. In line with this vision, the faculty has initiated “The 5th Bangsaen Gallery” project for the fiscal year 2026.
The project serves as a platform to preserve and promote local traditions and cultural heritage while functioning as a bridge that connects artistic knowledge and contemporary creative expression with the public through the perspectives of artists. It also expands opportunities for building creative community networks among public organizations, private sectors, entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and cultural practitioners at local, provincial, national, and international levels.
The 5th Bangsaen Gallery aims to encourage new tourism trends by creating diverse annual art and cultural festivals and developing new man-made attractions that support the tourism industry. The project is expected to revitalize public well-being, stimulate cultural engagement, and promote the growth of the creative industries within the context of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), ultimately contributing to national economic strength and sustainable development.
Furthermore, the project supports Thailand’s creative economy policy by providing opportunities for artists and creative practitioners to present contemporary art and cultural works in harmony with the cultural identity of the city. The initiative focuses on preserving local traditions, generating income, and strengthening communities through the use of local artistic and cultural capital as a key development mechanism.
The project is supported through collaborative partnerships with various organizations and institutions, including the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Tourism Authority of Thailand, international educational institutions, private sector partners, entrepreneurs, and other cultural networks both in Thailand and abroad.
The aims of project:
1. To establish an annual festival featuring new artificial attractions, promoting a more diverse tourism industry in Chonburi that could cater to a broader range of visitors. 2. To preserve and promote local traditions and cultural heritage through artistic and cultural activities that were integrated into their surroundings, making art museums and galleries more accessible via hotels, restaurants, and cafés. 3. To enhance the quality of life in the area by leveraging art and cultural capital to generate income and foster a stronger, more cohesive community through artistic engagement. 4. To elevate the value of public spaces by incorporating art and design into the urban landscape, enriching the community’s aesthetic and cultural environment. 5. To develop and strengthen networks among artists, government agencies, private enterprises, business owners, and cultural professionals, spanning from the local creative sector in Chonburi to national and international levels.
The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, in collaboration with various organisations, including Office of Contemporary Art and Culture,the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Saensuk Municipality, Creative Economy Agency, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Chonburi Provincial Tourism and Sports Office, the Chonburi Provincial Cultural Office, academic partners, and local hotels, restaurants, and cafés organised The 5th Bangsaen Gallery 2026, featuring the following activities:
ART IN CAFÉ & HOTEL: Brought art and culture to the public and tourists by integrating artistic and cultural exhibitions into Bangsaen’s Café Hopping culture, displaying works in cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
MUSIC & PERFORMANCE: Showcased musical and performance art that reflected cultural heritage, engaging audiences in restaurants and cafés.
ART WORKSHOP: Provided educational sessions on various aspects of art and design to festival attendees. FILM ON THE BEACH: Featured screenings of movies on the sandy shores of Bangsaen Beach.
ART BIKE TOUR: Offered a guided cycling tour featuring art installations and cultural activities along designated routes, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
BEACH WELLNESS ACTIVITIES: Organised health and wellness activities, including beach yoga sessions that encouraged healthy lifestyles and promoted relaxation and mindfulness through art and nature-based experiences.
BEACH FASHION SHOW: Presented a contemporary beach fashion show featuring innovative costume and textile designs that combined traditional woven fabrics from Chonburi, Thailand, with woven textiles from China, reflecting cultural exchange and international creative collaboration.
CREATIVE SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES: Encouraged environmental awareness and sustainable design practices through activities that transformed marine waste and sea debris into value-added art, fashion, and creative products.
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMMES: Supported students in developing entrepreneurial skills through creative markets, design showcases, and business-related activities that promoted innovation, creativity, and future career opportunities in the creative economy sector.
ART TALK: Created a platform for local artists to foster an Artist Ecosystem. The 2026 theme was “Creative City Development Through Art in Eastern Coastal Tourist Destinations.”
INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL: Thai Kite Competition, a key event in the Inflatable Kite Show: “Drifting on the Wind: Admiring the Charm of Thai Kite Culture”.
The Bangsaen Gallery project organised by the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Burapha University has created significant economic, social, cultural, and urban development impacts for Bangsaen and surrounding communities. The project successfully distributed income to local communities, including cafés, restaurants, hotels, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs through art and cultural activities held across the city. It generated more than 10 million Thai Baht in economic value and stimulated local tourism and creative industries. The initiative also transformed Bangsaen’s image from a traditional beach destination into a creative economy district and an emerging art tourism destination attracting higher-quality visitors.
Socially and culturally, the project strengthened local pride by presenting the identity, traditions, and stories of Bangsaen through contemporary art and cultural activities. It created opportunities for collaboration between young artists, professional artists, students, and local communities through workshops, performances, exhibitions, and artist talks. The project encouraged continuous knowledge exchange, artistic inspiration, and public participation in art and culture. International collaborations, including fashion shows combining traditional textiles from Chonburi and China, promoted intercultural understanding and cultural exchange.
In terms of urban development, public spaces such as beaches, cafés, and community areas were transformed into vibrant creative spaces filled with artistic activities and cultural experiences.
The project enhanced the city’s atmosphere, improved the quality of public spaces, and strengthened Bangsaen’s identity as a creative coastal city. The project also promoted public well-being through the concept of “Saensukkho” using art and culture to reduce stress and create happiness. Activities such as beach yoga sessions supported physical and mental wellness, while environmental activities encouraged the creative reuse of marine waste into value-added products. Entrepreneurship programmes also supported students in developing creative business skills and innovation for the future creative economy.
The project attracted more than 40,000 participants, generated over 20 million online media views, and established collaborations with more than 20 partner organisations from Thailand and abroad. Overall, the Bangsaen Gallery demonstrates the important role of art and culture in driving sustainable economic growth, social engagement, cultural preservation, urban revitalisation, and community well-being.
Project Duration: 6 – 15 March 2026
Project Leader: Assistant Professor Dr.Bunchoo Bunlikhitsiri
