Hangzhou teacher brings art and inspiration to Tibetan boarding school

Education aid initiative

As part of the support initiative between Shangcheng District of Hangzhou and Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Wu will spend two months at the school.

Although his time is brief, he hopes to make the most of it by helping the school utilize the art room effectively and encouraging students to manage the studio independently.

"Students who truly love painting will come to the studio during their free time," Wu said.

Wu wants to convey two key messages to the students: that painting can benefit their future, such as for higher education, and that painting is a joyful activity.

In the art room, he has divided the space into two areas — one for free drawing and one for sketching instruction.

The art room is well-equipped with plaster busts for basic sketching, as well as an assortment of painting tools and supplies in the adjacent storage room.

Wu believes that art can transform individuals and is already seeing changes in his students.

"The students are eager to come and are very happy," he said, adding that the students follow classroom rules willingly and require no disciplinary intervention.