On the afternoon of July 19, 2025, the 10th "I Love Colors – Little Genius Children's Painting Competition" exhibition, themed A Beautiful Tomorrow, officially opened at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Art Museum in Beijing, alongside a special forum sharing session. Co-hosted by the CAFA Art Museum and Ai Jing Studio, the exhibition showcases imaginative artworks and heartfelt expressions created by children from across China.
Since its inception in 2014, the "I Love Colors" competition has been held annually for ten consecutive years. Upholding a commitment to public welfare, it has sought to inspire and nurture children's artistic potential, creating a platform for free expression and the pursuit of dreams. Marking a significant milestone in the competition's ten-year journey, this year's event attracted over 1,600 submissions. Following a rigorous selection process by jurors from China and abroad, 150 outstanding works were selected for the exhibition—offering a vivid reflection of how children perceive, imagine, and express the world around them.
At 3:00 PM, the opening ceremony and themed forum commenced at the museum's ground-floor auditorium. Distinguished guests included Mr. Luo Shugang, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, Chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, Chairman of the China National Arts Fund, and former Minister of Culture and Tourism of China; Mr. Lin Mao, President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; and Mr. Jin Jun, Director of the CAFA Art Museum. Award-winning young artists, their families, long-time supporters of the competition, art educators, and members of the media were also in attendance.
The event was hosted by Ms. Gao Gao, Deputy Director of the CAFA Art Museum, who warmly welcomed all guests on behalf of the organizers and introduced the main participants. She officially announced the opening of the 10th "I Love Colors – Little Genius" Exhibition and Sharing Session.
In his speech, CAFA President Lin Mao emphasized that the children's artworks exemplify the innocence, imagination, and creativity that lie at the heart of arts education. He highlighted the Academy's long-standing commitment to youth art education, with efforts to transform professional resources into nourishment for broader social development. "Each work," he noted, "is a seed of hope carrying our shared vision for a better tomorrow."
Director Jin Jun remarked that the children's paintings convey authentic love for the world and a natural sensitivity to beauty—true expressions of innocence and creative spirit. He reaffirmed the museum's role not only as a guardian of classic art but also as a platform to spotlight the originality and vitality of young creators. He expressed the hope that every child could plant the seed of art in their heart and find their own voice in this creative space.
A specially produced 10th-anniversary short film, Love Is Like a Seed – A Decade of the "I Love Colors" Public Art Project, was screened, tracing the touching milestones of the competition's decade-long journey. Following the film, artist and project founder Ai Jing delivered a heartfelt speech titled A Decade of Harvest. She recalled the competition's humble beginnings and steady growth: "This is a relay of love that has lasted ten years, carried forward by our judges, volunteers, parents, and children alike." Ai Jing expressed sincere gratitude to CAFA and its Art Museum for elevating the exhibition to a national level and thanked all individuals and institutions who have supported the project over the years. She encouraged the children to live joyfully and grow healthily toward a beautiful tomorrow.
In a particularly emotional moment, Ai Jing commemorated Mr. Chen Lusheng, former Deputy Director of the National Museum of China and a key co-founder of the project. A short video clip honored Mr. Chen, showing him awarding certificates to children in earlier years. Mr. Chen passed away on May 29 this year, and, according to Ai Jing, remained deeply committed to the project even in his final days. "Tell the children," he said, "to express themselves freely—love lies ahead."
Ai Jing also announced that a commemorative book, Love Is Like a Seed – A Decade of the "I Love Colors" Public Art Project, will be published to document the initiative's impact. The book will include award-winning works from past years as well as essays by jurors, serving as both a record and a resource for future exploration in public art and children's creativity.
In a moment of warmth and gratitude, Ai Jing presented a limited-edition 10th-anniversary trophy to long-time jurors and volunteers. Designed by sculptor Liu Baoliang, the trophy symbolizes heartfelt appreciation for those who have remained dedicated to the cause. Notably, four members of the jury and volunteer team are alumni of the Central Academy of Fine Arts: Ms. He Yunlan (a graduate of CAFA High School and former associate of artists such as Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi), Mr. Li Tianyuan, Mr. Liu Baoliang (Sculpture Department), and Ms. Nie Jingzhu (Design Department). Returning to their alma mater, they shared in the joy of seeing a new generation of artists blossom.
Following this, a group of honored guests—including Ms. He Yunlan, Mr. Liu Baoliang, Mr. Wang Jiaming, Ms. Yin Ran, Ms. Yang Yuan, Ms. Zeng Yi (from Sohu Philanthropy), artist Ms. Zhang Weixing (wife of the late Mr. Chen Lusheng), Dr. Chen Du (art historian at China National Academy of Painting and Shanghai University, and son of Mr. Chen Lusheng), Director Jin Jun, Minister Luo Shugang, and President Lin Mao—took turns presenting trophies and certificates to the award-winning children. Amid resounding applause, the children took the stage beaming with pride—moments that became the most touching highlights of the day.
The event also featured a special retrospective section celebrating a decade of the competition's history. Selected past winners were invited to present their works alongside those from the current year, creating a dialogue across time. Two representatives from the inaugural competition even recorded short video messages to share their personal journeys in art.
The organizers extended special thanks to French luxury brand Dior for supporting this year's event. Dior has long championed the arts through global collaborations and exhibitions of international influence. Their continued commitment to public service and the creative community reflects the brand's core values and support for artistic expression.
The opening ceremony concluded in an atmosphere of celebration and warmth. Looking ahead, the organizers expressed their resolve to remain true to their public mission—encouraging more children to explore their inner worlds through art, spreading love, and contributing to a brighter future for all.
The exhibition will run from July 19 to August 22, 2025. Simultaneously, the CAFA Art Museum is also presenting The Fluid Territory: A Research Exhibition of International Art Exchange from the CAFA Art Museum Collection. This is the first time the museum has systematically curated its extensive international holdings, featuring over 200 works spanning five continents and three centuries. These treasures illuminate the museum's global artistic vision and highlight CAFA's achievements in international arts education and cultural exchange.
[All images courtesy of I Love Colors]
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