Artist leads volunteer network for Jingdezhen residents
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Philip Read, a 76-year-old Canadian artist, coordinates a volunteer team in Jingdezhen, China, to support international artists and residents.
For over three decades, Read has lived and worked in Jingdezhen, a city known as China’s porcelain capital. Recognizing the challenges newcomers faced with local regulations and cultural differences, he helped establish the “Yang Jingpiao” volunteer service team in July 2025. The team, initially composed of nine members from seven countries, partners with the Zhushan Public Security Bureau to provide assistance.
They built a three-tier service model, integrating into a digital platform, opening service desks in expat neighborhoods, and offering outreach in universities and markets. Read and his team focus on explaining complex regulations through conversation and real-life examples, even staging plays to make the information more accessible. Beyond administrative help, the volunteers mediate disputes and foster connections between foreign artists and local craftspeople.
By August 2025, the team had hosted nine events, completed over 150 consultations, and assisted more than 500 people. Read also serves as a cultural tourism ambassador, connecting newcomers with masters of traditional ceramic arts, with the goal of building a collaborative and welcoming community in Jingdezhen.
