A cross-provincial cultural exhibition titled "Stone Painting of All Things – From Geological Treasures to Ink and Color on Stone" has opened at Geological Museum of Guizhou.

Jointly hosted by institutions from Guizhou and Hebei provinces, this stone-focused event bridges regional divides, linking ancient and modern cultures. It showcases natural geology, historical inscriptions, and the craftsmanship of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), infusing vitality and warmth into the cold mountain rocks.

With "painting on stone" as its main storyline, the exhibition ties together three major content areas – geological science popularization, stone-carving cultural heritage, and ICH stone painting.

A stone painting of the Silk Road. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

It simplifies specialized jargon, creates an immersive display atmosphere tailored to contemporary young audiences' viewing habits, and effectively lowers the barrier to cultural appreciation.

Grounded in the core theme of a dialogue between stone cultures in South and North China, the exhibition systematically sorts through the historical evolution of stone-based artistic creation from ancient times to the present. It enables young visitors to understand the cultural lineage of mountain stones and perceive the contemporary value of traditional culture.

Alongside the main exhibition, on-site interactive stone-painting workshops are offered, allowing young participants to craft their own pieces and explore the charm of ICH techniques through hands-on experiences.

Zhenfeng red rock paintings are on display. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]

Running concurrently is another exhibition, "The Source of Mind and Nature – Museum Mineral Specimen Photography Art Exhibition", which features mineral specimens photographed through the lens, presenting both the scientific truth and artistic beauty of ores. Both exhibitions will remain on view until Oct 8.

This exhibition uses the museum's mineral specimens as its medium and photographic art as its vehicle, breaking down the barriers between geological science popularization and visual aesthetics to achieve an interdisciplinary fusion of scientific knowledge and artistic expression.

The exhibition hall also features thoughtfully designed interactive buttons, enabling visitors to explore how light interacts with minerals and how mineral forms are created through tactile and visual observation.

Photographs of mineral specimens are on display. [Photo/Guiyang Daily]