September 25-27, 2023 – The Art and Cultural Center of Khon Kaen University is holding the “Workshop for Developing Creative Community Products and Community Participation” at the zone in front of Khon Kaen Hall, 5th Floor, Central Plaza, Khon Kaen. The opening ceremony on Monday September 25, 2023 was presided over by Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
Mr. Worasak Worayos, Director of the Art and Cultural Center reported that the Workshop for Developing Creative Community Products and Community Participation is another academic service for transferring knowledge in development and extension of cultural and creative community products, organized through the participation process of a workshop. It also efficiently enhances strength of community enterprises and SME entrepreneurs by developing their skills and knowledge.
After the project carried out on product development on July 26, 2023, today 10 groups of community enterprises and SME entrepreneurs in Khon Kaen: the plastic basket group, the cradle group, the rice kratip group, Khok Fan Pong housewife crochet group, the doormat group, the Sang Saeng and Sang Prom group, and the Sai Moon sewing group, exhibit and sell their products at cheap prices at the said zone of Central Plaza from September 25 until September 27, 2023.
Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy said that this workshop is truly promoting creative economy from community products. The activity is under the collaboration of the Art and Cultural Center and Faculty of Architecture. There are joint activities and co-learning on the basis of culture, society, religion and economy.
“This project emphasizes building a venue for learning and sharing, adding values of art, culture and Isan wisdom to products, and enhancing creativity and imagination. Another goal is the value of nature and the environment. The workshop incorporates the concept of creative economy and connecting bodies of knowledge towards ASEAN region and international countries.”
Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, on this occasion, presented certificates to the 10 groups of community enterprises and SME entrepreneurs. The next session on the first day was the fashion show of community products developed and extended from the previous workshop. The models were students and ex-students of Khon Kaen University.
Ajarn Apinya Asarat, Deputy Director of the Art and Cultural Center and a lecturer of the Faculty of Architecture has led a team from the Faculty of Architecture to the communities to help in developing the products for many years. The training team trained the communities in arts, marketing, in drawing the identity from materials as the selling point of products in order to expand the market and access the adolescent group. This year, there are altogether 20 products from 10 community enterprises and SME entrepreneurs.
KKU trains in color matching technique, designing logos to reach adolescent customers.
Miss Benjawan Kaewpakdee, an SME entrepreneur of the “Sang Saeng Sand Prom group” thanked Khon Kaen University for the training on marketing, product extension technique, especially color matching. This makes the doormat they produce beautiful and outstanding. At the same time, the trainers helps in designing the new logo so that SME entrepreneurs have beautiful Branding. Now, KKU opens a venue for them to exhibit their products at Central Plaza. Her friends from the community enterprises and SME entrepreneurs have brought their products to sell here at friendly prices. The doormat today sells at 100/3 pieces only.
It is hoped that retrospect trend will urge new-generation to use community products.
Weerapon Srilak, a student from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, a representative of the new generation who was also one on the catwalk said that the products exhibited today are made from local products but added with the modernity that is just right and makes each product beautiful and usable.
“I hope younger generation will turn to look at community products, especially now that the 90 or Y2K trend returns. Teenagers no longer feel embarrassed when they use local products to mix and match with their daily attires. In addition to increasing incomes to local people, the issue of zero carbon will also be tackled in terms of lessening transportation. This also conserves the environment. I hope Khon Kaen people will come and buy the products.”
Khon Kaen people and those interested to see the exhibition and support the local products, please visit the fair in front of Khon Kaen Hall, 5th Floor, Central Plaza, Khon Kaen, September 25-27, 2023.
News: Panit Khatnak
