Art Works from Pingxifu, a joint show featuring paintings by artists living in Pingxifu on the outskirts of Beijing, will reopen to the public at the Toady Art Gallery after being suspended for several weeks because of the SARS outbreak.

Participating artists are all characterized as residents of Pingxifu, a northern area of Beijing that has become one of the capital's noted artist villages where the artists all live together. Exhibits include paintings using different materials on a wide spectrum of social topics and reflect the personal feelings of artists from universities and professional artists from other parts of China.

As the first in a series of exhibitions focusing on various artists groups in Beijing, the exhibition stages works of artists according to the residential locations where they choose to live together. Different areas on the outskirts of Beijing are popular among many professional artists who favour such places for their tranquility and cheap rent.

The way of life in these communities have influenced the personal styles of artists and led to the rise of a clear school of art defined by location.

Time/date: 9 am-5 pm until July 20

Location: 9 Wenhuiyuan Beilu, Haidian District

Tel: 6221-6146

今日美術館，海淀區文慧園北路9號

Pre-auction show

Beijing Huacheng Auctions Co Ltd will hold a large pre-auction show on July 9 and 10 prior to its major summer auction on the following two days.

The items to be displayed include almost all the elite pieces from more than 3,000 items belonging to six theme auctions the company will put under the hammer. The coming auction consists of Chinese oil paintings and sculptures, classical Chinese paintings and calligraphy, modern Chinese paintings and calligraphy, contemporary Chinese paintings and calligraphy, Chinese porcelain and stamps, coins and banknotes. All are guaranteed the originality of the lots.

As a newcomer to the auction business, the company is a little different from others with more attention paid to new art than the old things which most ordinary people find hard to appreciate. Apart from the best-known porcelain items and exquisite craftworks of the past, the company will devote a great deal of space for art works made during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) and bold creations by contemporary artists.

Time/date: 9 am-6 pm, July 9, 10

Location: The Jade Room, Palace Hotel

Tel: 6510-6333

王府飯店