When a Grand Theme Meets the Pure Hearts of Children

The theme of International Museum Day 2026 is "Museums Uniting a Divided World." During this time, the World Expo Museum launched a collaborative creation initiative for students in the Yangtze River Delta region, inviting young people to respond to the theme of "uniting the world and bridging divides" through art.

In response, Shanghai High School International Division Hongkou Campus was invited to take part, guiding the children in transforming from "visitors" into "creators of cultural content". Among the proposed themes, we chose "Moments of Support", encouraging the children to record the warm moments in their lives when they felt helped and understood, and to express these emotions tangibly through their innocent hearts.

156 Young Hearts Nurture a “Tree of Life”

Under the guidance of art teacher Huang Meilin, all 156 students from first to third grade at the Hongkou Campus embarked on this collaborative art journey:

The first graders picked up their paintbrushes, using vibrant colors to depict colorful leaves and butterflies. Each unique leaf and fluttering butterfly represented their purest wishes for the world.

The second graders turned their attention to transparent balls, creating "planets of support" filled with their aspirations. They carefully painted patterns on the surfaces, placing the things that give them strength in life gently inside these little "planets."

The third graders used paper cups and colored clay to mold three-dimensional figures, creating their very own "little guardians". These sculpted figures of various shapes carry the warmest companionship in their hearts.

Across grade levels, works of different forms eventually "grew" on the same tree. Through each child's unique life experiences and memories, they came together to form a large-scale installation artwork titled Branches of Childhood. Mutual help and collaboration made the creative process itself the best proof of "connection."

The Brilliant Branches Shining at the World Expo Museum

When this "Tree of Life", embodying the hearts of 156 children, was officially exhibited in the public space of the World Expo Museum, it amazed every visitor who stopped to look.

On the green "lawn" stood the clay guardians molded by the third graders, placed in thoughtful arrangement. Growing upward along the trunk and branches were the colorful leaves and butterflies made by the first graders, and hanging from them were the shimmering story orbs created by the second graders.

This is not just an installation artwork; it is a "cabinet of contemporary curiosities" built by the children themselves, presenting a panoramic view of their understanding and love for this blue planet from diverse perspectives.

Voices: Children's Words Reveal a Vast World

On the afternoon of May 17, 2026, the "Art · Connection · World" exhibition of outstanding works from the World Expo Museum's International Museum Day collaborative event took place as planned. Inside the WE Theater at the museum, a highly anticipated segment, "Student Representatives Share Their Creative Stories" was held.

This was not just a few children telling their stories, but a collective voice from all 156 young creators. Teacher Huang Meilin shared with a warm smile:

"Every child is a branch growing toward the light. These small moments of support, like branches stretching out and intertwining with one another, eventually come together to form this towering tree that connects us all."

Afterwards, three student representatives took the stage, carrying the hopes of all their classmates, and shared touching stories that grew on the "branches."

First grader Olivia left behind colorful leaves and butterflies in her artwork. Her wish was pure and moving: "I hope peace can fly to every corner, just like leaves and butterflies, so that all children can grow up happy and safe."

Second grader Edward drew a horse and an airplane inside his transparent ball. This crystal orb carried his dreams: "The horse can take me toward the passions in my heart, and the airplane can carry me across mountains and seas to see a bigger world. Inside this little ball are my aspirations and the power of art to connect the world."

Third grader Clemence used clay to mold a friend wearing a hat and scarf. In her eyes, support has a tangible warmth: "The companionship of a good friend is a very gentle form of support. She often plays with me, encourages me, and helps me. When I'm with her, I always feel happy and warm."

Though the children's words were simple, they carried great weight. These three stories not only reflected the children's rich inner worlds but also offered the purest and most touching answer to the question of "how to connect with one another through art."

A Cross-Disciplinary Achievement Full of Rewards

This artistic journey across time and space not only moved countless visitors but also earned high recognition from the World Expo Museum.

For their outstanding collaborative art creation and teamwork, Shanghai High School International Division Hongkou Campus received the "Excellent Organization Award for Themed Collaborative Project". Meanwhile, all 156 students who contributed to Branches of Childhood received "Excellent Exhibition Work" certificates for the project.

These meaningful certificates are the best praise for the children's pure creativity and represent a perfect result of the school's experiential art education.

With Young Hearts as Brushes, Painting a Picture That Connects the World

We are grateful to the World Expo Museum for allowing these loving creations to flourish here. We firmly believe that this cross-disciplinary collaboration has planted seeds of "beauty and love" in the children's hearts. May they carry this unique memory as they grow toward the light in their future lives — able to be both a "leaf" gently cradled by the world and a strong "branch" that steadfastly supports and protects others.

(Written by Mia Huang

Pictures by Rachel Wu, World Expo Museum

Reviewed by Ms. Zhu Dan, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)