Sol Museum, Reading the Layers of Jeonbuk Painting and Calligraphy
Sol Museum in Gyeongwon-dong, Jeonju, is a free museum that mainly exhibits Jeonbuk painting and calligraphy, along with modern Korean painting and calligraphy. It can be reached by bus from Jeonju Express Bus Terminal and Jeonju Station. It is recommended to check the museum’s closure days and exhibition schedule before visiting.
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The Background of Collecting Jeonbuk Calligraphy and Painting at 212-6 Paldal-ro
Art Museum Sol is an art museum dedicated to preserving and widely promoting calligraphy and painting from Jeonbuk. It is located at 212-6 Paldal-ro (Gyeongwon-dong 3-ga), Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk State, near the Korea Traditional Culture Center.
The museum’s materials were collected over three generations of Sol Gallery. It is reported to house approximately 6,000 old paintings and calligraphic works and around 3,000 folk items, ceramics, wooden objects, and other pieces, making it a space for exploring Jeonbuk calligraphy and painting alongside everyday cultural materials rather than a place devoted to viewing a single exhibition.
From the 1911 Calligraphy and Painting Society to the 1922 Gyonam Calligraphy and Painting Research Society
The modern calligraphy and painting covered by Art Museum Sol is connected to changes in court art and artists’ working methods after the Joseon dynasty became the Korean Empire in 1897. When Gojong became emperor, changes also appeared in court art, including the color of the royal robe changing to yellow.
The Calligraphy and Painting Society, described as Korea’s first art school, was established in 1911, with Jo Seok-jin, An Jung-sik, Jeong Dae-yu, Kim Eung-won, and Yi Do-yeong introduced as faculty members. The exhibition presents the broader context extending to the Calligraphy and Painting Association, described as the first modern art studio and established in 1918, the Joseon Art Exhibition of 1922, and the Gyonam Calligraphy and Painting Research Society founded by Seo Byeong-o.
How to View Seokji Portraits and Changam Calligraphy in the First-Floor Permanent Galleries
Art Museum Sol operates the Seokji Portrait Gallery and the Changam Calligraphy Gallery as permanent exhibitions. The permanent exhibitions are on the first floor, while special exhibitions operate according to the schedule of each first-floor exhibition room.
Artists introduced as graduates of the Calligraphy and Painting Society include Oh Il-yeong, Yi Yong-u, Kim Eun-ho, Park Seung-mu, Yi Sang-beom, No Su-hyeon, and Choe U-seok. Works may not be touched in the exhibition rooms, and floor lines or ropes mark protective boundaries and must not be crossed.
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Admission Closing at 5:30 p.m.
Official visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and entry to the exhibition spaces is allowed until 5:30 p.m. The recommended visit takes approximately 30 minutes, so arriving before 5:00 p.m. is safer than planning to arrive at the final admission time.
Some tourist information lists the hours as 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and the closing days as every Monday, holiday periods, and public holidays. According to the official website, operating hours are 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with admission closing at 5:30 p.m.
Free Admission and 30 Minutes of Parking; Groups Must Reserve One Day in Advance
Some tourist information lists admission as free. Parking is reported to be available, with 30 minutes of free parking for exhibition visitors. The number of available spaces and fees after the first 30 minutes were not found in the public information.
Advance reservations are required for groups of 15 or more infants and students or 20 or more adults. Reservations can be made until the day before the intended visit, and same-day reservations are not available. The phone number for group-visit reservations is 063-285-7007. Groups of infants, elementary school students, and middle or high school students must enter with at least one supervising teacher.
Actual Routes from Jeonju Express Bus Terminal and Jeonju Station
From Jeonju Express Bus Terminal, the official route involves walking approximately 416 m to the Kookmin Bank Geumam Branch bus stop, taking the 684 branch bus, and getting off at Bukmun Bus Stop. Art Museum Sol is approximately 64 m from Bukmun Bus Stop.
From Jeonju Station, walk approximately 239 m, or about 4 minutes, to the Jeonju Station bus stop, then take bus 119 and get off at Girindae-ro Jeonju City Hall Bus Stop. The museum is approximately 366 m from the bus stop. Since bus intervals and the availability of English announcements could not be confirmed from public materials, it is advisable to enter the bus stop name in a map app and check the alighting location as well.
Photography Is Prohibited, and Food Must Be Left in the Storage Room
Photography using cameras and smartphones is not permitted. Food and bouquets may not be brought into the exhibition spaces; if you have brought food or similar items, you must store them in the storage room before entering.
The current exhibition title and dates at Art Museum Sol, wheelchair and stroller accessibility, and the availability of English information and audioguides could not be confirmed from public information. Programs such as eco-bag making and tumbler decorating are introduced as hands-on activities, but their operating dates and reservation requirements need to be checked separately.
An Itinerary Extending to the Korea Traditional Culture Center Within 0.14 km
The Korea Traditional Culture Center is approximately 0.14 km from Art Museum Sol, and Jeonju Dongmun Art Street is approximately 0.30 km away. Jeonju Pungpaejigwan is also about 0.34 km away, making it easy to connect nearby downtown destinations on foot after the museum visit, which is advertised as taking about 30 minutes.
However, exhibitions at Art Museum Sol vary according to the special-exhibition schedule. From December 23, 2024, to February 28, 2025, “Jeonbuk Donggyeong 1970,” a selection of winter scenes from Jeonbuk landscapes after 1970, was held in Exhibition Room 3 on the first floor. At that time, the museum was closed every Thursday and during the Lunar New Year holiday. Since this exhibition has ended, it should not be mistaken for a current exhibition.
Before You Go
- Address
- Art Museum Sol, 212-6 Paldal-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk State
- Hours
- 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (admission to exhibition spaces closes at 5:30 p.m.)
- Closed
- Some tourist information lists every Monday, holiday periods, and public holidays. Closing days may vary by exhibition, so check before visiting.
- Admission
- Listed as free.
- Phone
- 063-285-0567; group-visit reservations: 063-285-7007
- Official site
- http://www.artmuseumsol.org
- Transport
- From Jeonju Express Bus Terminal, take branch bus 684 and get off at Bukmun Bus Stop, followed by an approximately 64 m walk. From Jeonju Station, take bus 119 and get off at Girindae-ro Jeonju City Hall Bus Stop, followed by an approximately 366 m walk.
- Parking
- Parking available. Listed as free for 30 minutes for exhibition visitors.
- Time needed
- Listed as approximately 30 minutes.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Korea Traditional Culture CenterA space where visitors can experience and explore traditional Korean culture, including hanji, hanbok, and crafts. -
2
Dongmun Art StreetAn artistic alley where you can explore exhibitions, performances, studios, and independent bookstores. -
3
PungpaejigwanA historic attraction featuring Joseon-era guesthouse architecture, a commemorative plaque, and views of the city’s nightscape.
Food & Dining 3
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4
PNB Pungnyeon Bakery Main BranchA bakery where you can taste and purchase Jeonju’s traditional baked goods and handmade chocolate pies. -
5
Veteran KalguksuA restaurant serving kalguksu, dumplings, and soba featuring perilla seeds and egg. -
6
Waengi Kongnamul GukbapA restaurant serving Jeonju-style bean sprout gukbap with squid and bean sprouts.
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20 Hyeonmu 1-gil, the Korea Traditional Culture Center Where Hanji and Korean Cuisine Meet
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