Artists in School
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Artists in School is an intergenerational, community-rooted program that integrates art education, cultural heritage, and lived experience by fostering connections among artists, community members, and the next generation of youth. Over the course of seven weekly sessions, CCC partnered with Jean Parker Elementary School and Hong Kong–based artist Lit Wing Hung to engage forty 4th- and 5th-grade students in exploring essential sewing techniques, fabric selection, and design principles. Each student created a unique, wearable cheongsam (長衫)—a traditional Chinese long dress.
Beyond the classroom, the program fostered community engagement through a Chinatown walking tour and a visit to Dragon Seed Store, a historic cheongsam boutique that was at risk of closing. Students engaged in intergenerational learning, hearing firsthand from the store owner about the significance of traditional dress-making and its ties to Chinatown’s cultural resilience.
Program Gallery
Impact
Cheongsam (長衫), a traditional Chinese dress characterized by its elegant silhouette and intricate designs, embodied a rich cultural heritage spanning centuries. While the program emphasized the significance of connecting local schools and local businesses, this project aimed to celebrate and revive the artistry of cheongsam-making, providing students with the opportunity to explore the history, craftsmanship, and contemporary interpretations of this iconic garment.
Through hands-on experience, attendees learned essential sewing techniques, fabric selection, and design principles, empowering them to create their own unique cheongsam. By fostering an appreciation for this art form, the workshop not only preserved cultural traditions but also inspired a new generation of designers and fashion enthusiasts.
This project accumulated into the final Fashion & Art Night, where the students proudly showcased their cheongsam-making journeys and walked the stage in their own designs. The event brought together in total over 400 students from all grades, families, teachers, and Chinatown community partners, making it a true celebration of artistic achievement and cultural preservation. CCC’s Artist-in-Schools program not only sought to preserve cultural traditions but also aimed to inspire a new generation of designers and fashion enthusiasts, empowering young artists to develop their creative voices.
Student-design Cheongsam Archive
School & Community Feedback
Many many thanks to all of you at CCC, especially Ms Lit who really took our already impressive arts program with Ms Chen up several notches with the collaboration. I’m so grateful for this JP x CCC partnership - thank you for helping us be a true community school!
–Ms Carp, Educator at Jean Parker Elementary School
謝謝你們的熱情支持，我也十分高興知道小朋友們都欣賞旗袍，你們的工作十分有意義，希望我們中國的文化藝術能夠傳承下去！再次感謝你們的努力！
Thank you for CCC’s enthusiastic support. I’m also very happy to know that the children appreciate the beauty of Qipao/ Cheongsam. Your work is very meaningful, and I hope Chinese culture and arts can be passed down and preserved. Once again, thank you for your efforts!
–Henrietta, Owner of Dragon Seed, the last traditional Chinese dressmaker in Chinatown
Project Support by:
California Arts Council
About the Artist
Lit Wing Hung (Lit)
Growing up surrounded by the love of her mother and grandmother, Lit developed a deep bond of daughterhood. Soft materials have always been her comfort zone, and she uses reflective fabrics to create household goods. Her work offers a contemplative reflection on the surreal alienation and strangeness of daily life, expressing uncertainty about life.
Lit works across multiple disciplines, including art creation, art direction, scenography, costume design, and Cheongsam tailoring. After participating in the Hong Kong Jockey Club ICH+Innovative Heritage Education Program focused on Cheongsam making, she incorporated traditional crafts into her “Still Life Series”.
About Jean Parker Elementary School
Jean Parker Elementary School is located in the Chinatown/North Beach/Russian Hill area, providing public education for students who primarily live in the neighborhood and other surrounding communities in San Francisco. One of our strengths is our racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. We are committed to fostering relationships and understanding across a multitude of identities.
About the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC)
For 60 years, the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) has uplifted Chinatown through the arts as both a vibrant neighborhood and a powerful metaphor for the immigrant experience. Founded in 1965 amid the civil rights movement, CCC emerged as a bold response to racism, displacement, and gentrification. From a hard-won cultural space, it has evolved into a dynamic hub that shifts narratives, supports innovative art, and advances social justice.
CCC amplifies marginalized voices, reclaims public space, and strengthens community through exhibitions, festivals, and educational programs. Signature initiatives include C.H.A.T. Chinatown History Art Tours, the XianRui Artist Series, and the 41 Ross Artist-in-Residence program. With locations on Kearny Street, Ross Alley, and the newly acquired 667 Grant Ave, CCC continues to champion immigrant and LGBTQIA2S+ rights. Recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other major foundations, CCC celebrates its 60th anniversary with Chinatown Pride, the Hungry Ghost Festival, and its Gala.
