NCU School of Architecture & Design: 

Weaving Art with Legacy to Revitalize Rural Communities

Jiangxi News — On June 27, the “Design the Future” Volunteer Team from the School of Architecture & Design at Nanchang University arrived in Xianyuan Village, Wanzai County, for a week-long service program. Motivated by a mission to serve society through art and a resolve to apply theory in practice, the students embarked on a journey to contribute their youthful energy and expertise.

▲Party Committee Secretary Peng Jinsheng and Dean Li Zhixiu of the School of Architecture & Design at NCU, with the student volunteer team.

Nurturing Young Minds with Multidimensional Courses

At the village’s “Children’s Haven,” the team designed and conducted a series of engaging courses, including fun sports, creative arts, music, paper-cutting, and photography. In these sessions, children expressed their creativity through colors and melodies, developed skills through crafts and games, and captured their surroundings through the lens. This initiative not only brought knowledge and joy to the rural children but also demonstrated the students’ commitment to applying their education for social good.

Reviving History Through Thematic Murals

Using village walls as their canvas, the team created a mural series depicting the Red Army’s Long March. The artwork narrates the journey—from villagers bidding farewell to the soldiers to the triumphant reunion—embedding historical context and spiritual significance into every stroke. “We aim to make revolutionary history visible and tangible through art,” explained a team member. They hope the murals will help younger generations understand the profound bond between the army and the people. These works now stand as a cultural landmark, making the Long March spirit a visible part of the village landscape.

▲The volunteer team depicted the journey of the Red Army's Long March through mural art.

Charting a Future with Professional Mapping

After exploring the local revolutionary history, the team employed their architectural and design skills to create the Xianyuan Village Red Tourism Map. Integrating drone-captured aerial views, the map artistically highlights historical sites, natural landscapes, and cultural resources, suggesting routes and points of interest. This professional tool aims to unlock the village’s potential, offering a visual blueprint to boost cultural tourism and inject new vitality into the area through artistic planning.

▲NCU Architecture & Design Students Launch Volunteer Initiative in Xianyuan Village

Bridging Theory and Practice for Rural Revitalization

Over the course of the project, students turned academic theory into tangible hands-on service with remarkable success. They leveraged art as a bridge linking cultural heritage to rural development, applying professional expertise to tackle real-world revitalization challenges and honoring their pledge to “ignite rural revitalization through art”. Looking ahead, the School of Architecture & Design will continue to advance this “professional practice + social service” model, empowering more students to put their knowledge into action at the grassroots level and let their youth radiate across Jiangxi.

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