Artists pose for a group photo on Junshan Mountain in Nantong. [Photo/Xinhua]

Artists from China, Italy and the United States gathered in Nantong to engage in sketching and cultural exchange as part of the exchange program in Jiangsu province held Sept 13 to 21 across five cities in the province with Nantong being the first stop.

The Nantong visit took the group through the city's natural scenery, history and university life, offering material for sketches and conversations that crossed languages and artistic traditions. After Nantong, the program continued to Yangzhou, Changzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou.

Allen Smith, a contemporary American artist and art educator, sketches on Junshan Mountain in Nantong. [Photo/Xinhua]

Duane Lutsko, a lecturer at Maryland Institute College of Art, shows his sketch on Junshan Mountain in Nantong. [Photo/Xinhua]

An artist explores the exhibition at the Nantong Museum. [Photo/Xinhua]

An artist appreciates the artwork at Nantong University. [Photo/Xinhua]

Artists discuss the making techniques of Nantong's banyao kite at Nantong University. [Photo/Xinhua]