A group of young students, supported by Han Sung Motor, the largest car dealer of Mercedes-Benz in Korea, have joined hands with local artists for an art project to refurbish a traditional market in Seoul.

On Saturday, hundreds of colorful aprons were hanging from a ceiling of Seoul Jungang Market, one of the oldest markets in central Seoul. It was a collaborative art project between young students and Seoul Art Space Shindang.

“Aprons are a common feature for both merchants and artists. Using them as a medium, we wanted to create a new sense of community among us,” said Han Young-kwon, a resident artist from the underground arcade near the market.

Since 2012, Han Sung Motor has operated its own corporate social responsibility program, Dream Gream, which aims to help youths ― mostly those from underprivileged families ― develop their artistic talents.

The company supports up to 20 students every year for their art classes and cultural activities. Han Sung employees, along with college art majors also have volunteered to become mentors for the participants.

Starting this year, the company has been focusing more on sharing the students’ talents with the local society. As part of such efforts, the company signed an MOU with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture in April to jointly carry out diverse art projects to improve the city’s landscape.

Besides putting up the aprons, the students and artists have transformed a shabby shelter in the market into a comfort zone called “Eoul Shelter” to inspire both merchants and visitors.

“It’s great that young students are pitching in to renovate the market where most of the merchants are old, like me, and could use a fresh breath of air,” said Sohn Myung-sook, a merchant. “I sincerely hope their art work will help attract more customers to the market.”

Han Sung Motor chief executive Ulf Ausprung, who attended the unveiling event of the market project on Saturday, also pledged to ramp up efforts to help artistic talent of young students contribute to the community.

“It is great that merchants and visitors can earn new vigor through this art project and they realize new virtues of art in their daily lives,” said the German CEO who is also a frequent lecturer on industrial design.

“In the longer term, we want to continue a virtuous cycle in which the beneficiaries of our program can contribute back to the society by sharing their talent through volunteer work.”

Han Sung Motor was the first car dealer that introduced Mercedes-Benz cars into Korea in 1985. The company currently boasts the largest dealership network of 11 showrooms and 13 service centers nationwide.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)