In the height of summer this July, Longxi Art Space in Huanglong Village, Beijiao, Shunde, warmly opened its doors once again for a heartfelt event—the "Stitches and Feathers" Rural Children's Emotional Art Exhibition.
More than an art show, this exhibition is a heartfelt collaboration between CIS Grade 9 students and the local community, highlighting emotional awareness, empathy, and public service.
United for
Children's Emotional Growth
The exhibition is supported by
"He Interction", the Huanglong Village Committee, Longxi Art Space, local artists, social workers, and frontline art educators. Together, they shine a light on children's emotional wellbeing and use art as a bridge for kids to express their inner worlds.
The "He Interction" project is initiated and funded by the He Foundation, co-organized by the Shunde Social Innovation Center and the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. Rooted in the community, the project supports diverse stakeholders in actively engaging with public life through value-driven and creative cultural and artistic initiatives.
CIS secondary students actively contributed their artworks, adding depth and color to the emotional journey of rural children. Their participation also showcased how international school students engage with social care and respond to public issues through creativity and empathy.
As an integral part of the CIS curriculum, art is not just about skill development—it is a powerful pathway for building empathy, social responsibility, and cultural awareness. Through real-world community projects, students step beyond the classroom to observe society and reflect on the connections between individuals and the larger community.
From Collaborative Painting
to Emotional Storytelling
Earlier this spring, CIS students joined a collaborative ground mural project at Longxi Art Space to help enhance public spaces in the community.
This time, CIS students once again joined Stitches and Feathers as co-creators, contributing artworks that reflect the complex emotions of adolescence.
Continuing the theme of "art empowering communities," the Grade 9 Art Lab focused on emotional expression, guiding students to explore materials and visual language to bring the "thorns of growth" and "feathers of the heart" to life.
"Light in the Darkness"
Series Exhibition
Using scratchboard techniques, students carved luminous patterns into black paper to symbolize the movement and energy of emotions. Inspired by the idea that "light emerges in darkness," these works speak to finding hope even in moments of sadness or anxiety.
"Material Lab"
Series Exhibition
This series blends paint, wire, mesh, and other media to explore emotional depth and inner complexity. Every piece reflects the artist's personal insight into the relationship between self and the world.
These works captured attention and sparked meaningful conversations among visitors, reflecting the CIS philosophy of encouraging exploration and personal expression through art.
An Art Exhibition
and a Lesson
in Growth and Empathy
These works captured attention and sparked meaningful conversations among visitors, reflecting the CIS philosophy of encouraging exploration and personal expression through art.
We are grateful to He Interction and Longxi Art Space for their continued trust and invitation, providing CIS students with a platform to connect with the community and share warmth through collaborative art. Looking ahead, CIS will continue to engage students in diverse, cross-disciplinary experiences—guiding them towards authenticity, towards community, towards the world—bringing our vision of "Academic Excellence, Caring Community" to life.
