On the morning of May 20, the opening ceremony of the 2026 Graduate Exhibition of the School of Design and Art, Jiangsu University was held at the School Plaza. Themed “New Horizons · Coexistence”, the exhibition presents a comprehensive showcase of the teaching and creative achievements of the School’s graduate students.
Among the distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony were Ying Wenkui, General Manager of Jiangsu Zhongyi Advertising Decoration Planning and Management Co., Ltd.; Yao Qingwu, Dean of Jiangsu Zhongsen Architectural Design Institute; and Sun Wei, Deputy Director of Zhenjiang Art Museum, who serve as industry mentors; Zhu Lingping, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jiangsu University; Zhong Xiaohui, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Division; and Liu Dan, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Youth League Committee of Jiangsu University; as well as Han Rong, Dean of the School of Design and Art; heads of the School’s academic programs; faculty representatives; and all members of the 2026 graduating class. The opening ceremony was chaired by Zhu Zhe, Deputy Dean of the School of Design and Art.
Wang Yu, a graduate supervisor, delivered remarks on behalf of the faculty. She reflected with deep emotion on the students’ three-year journey of dedicated creative exploration during their graduate studies. She noted that each work created by the students is both a reflection of time and a sincere expression of their inner selves, embodying countless days and nights devoted to refining every detail. She encouraged the graduates to remember that leaving the university marks the true beginning of their artistic journeys. They should not be confined by established conventions or social judgments, but remain true to their sensitive and sincere artistic aspirations, resist the pressures of a restless world, and continue to create with sincerity.
Li Yu, a representative of the graduating students, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the supervisors who had provided dedicated guidance, to the School for providing a platform for their growth, and to their classmates who had worked alongside them throughout their studies. He said that the graduation exhibition is not only a youthful answer sheet representing three years of study, but also the starting point of a new journey in life. Carrying with them the sincerity and creativity of Jiangsu University students, all graduates will remain committed to their passion for art, respect for their profession, and sense of social responsibility, continuing to make their contributions and shine in the future.
In her speech, Han Rong, Dean of the School of Design and Art, noted that the graduation works represent the collective efforts of both faculty members and students, and that each work carries the creators’ aspiration to “make the world a little better.” She emphasized that this aspiration is one of the most valuable qualities of young creators. She further pointed out that the essence of creativity lies in the wisdom to break through constraints and the ability to empathize with others. She encouraged the graduates to regard respect for teachers and commitment to professional ethics as fundamental qualities for practitioners in the arts, and reminded them that their alma mater will always remain a strong source of support.
Finally, Dean Han Rong officially announced the opening of the 2026 Graduate Exhibition of the School of Design and Art, Jiangsu University.
The graduate exhibition brings together outstanding graduation works by students from various programs at the School of Design and Art, Jiangsu University, including the MA in Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fine Arts, Master of Engineering in Industrial Design Engineering, and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art Design. The works cover a wide range of research and creative areas, including the history and theory of fine arts and art archaeology, applied research in visual arts, art appreciation, collecting and market studies, Chinese painting, oil painting, calligraphy and seal carving, industrial design engineering, digital art and design, visual and information design, public environmental art and design, and materials and decorative arts.
From exquisite paintings and calligraphic works created with expressive brushwork to public art installations rich in artistic conception, from ingeniously designed cultural and creative products to immersive digital interactive works, and from service design addressing people's livelihoods to innovative practices integrating artificial intelligence, the exhibition vividly demonstrates the diverse and symbiotic relationships among design and society, tradition and the future, and the humanities and technology. The graduate exhibition provides a comprehensive showcase of the educational achievements and distinctive approach to talent cultivation of the School's graduate programs, while also providing graduates with a platform for academic exchange and the presentation of their creative achievements.
May all the graduates take this exhibition as a new starting point, remain true to their original aspirations, and move forward with courage across the vast landscape of art and design. May they continue to write their own remarkable chapters through creativity and passion.
