Dalton School Hong Kong Unveils Largest Little Basel Arts Festival Yet, Featuring Acclaimed Artist Huang Yulong
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
Dalton School Hong Kong (DSHK), Little Dalton, and miniDalton proudly presented their most ambitious Little Basel to date – the annual arts festival celebrating creativity across the Dalton community. Launching for the first time on the school's new campus, the 2025 edition featured a groundbreaking installation by world-renowned artist Huang Yulong, who made a special appearance to personally engage students and visitors with his visionary work.
For the first time, his “UPWARD – Huang Yulong” sculptures — a series of towering, hoodie-clad figures symbolizing inclusivity, optimism, and youth culture — were displayed on school grounds. Curated from his acclaimed solo exhibition at the HK Observation Wheel & AIA Vitality Park during the recent Art Month that drew over 17,000 visitors and were featured on the front page of the South China Morning Post, it continued to captivate Little Basel fair-goers throughout the day of family fun.
A Celebration of Art, Youth, and Innovation
"Street art is a celebration of personal expression," Huang observed. "No two paths are alike. Just as every artist develops a distinct creative voice, Dalton cultivates each student's unique potential. Seeing my work resonate in an educational setting is deeply rewarding — it creates a dialogue with young minds in a space that values authentic self-discovery as much as I do."
Peggy Yeoh, DSHK's Founding Director and Co-Chair, affirmed this alignment: "We challenge conventional education models because, like Huang's art, true learning must honor each individual's journey. At Dalton, we don't teach students WHAT to think - we help them learn HOW to think."
Henrietta Tsui-Leung, co-founder and CEO of Ora-Ora who brought the exhibition to town, noted the significance of early arts exposure: “Art education shapes perspective and creativity. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Dalton, where Huang’s uplifting vision aligns perfectly with the school’s ethos.”
Student-Centered Learning Through the Arts
Yeoh drew powerful parallels between Huang’s work and Dalton’s progressive educational approach. “The hoodie in Huang’s sculptures represents modern youth identity—just as culture evolves, so too must education,” she explained. “At Dalton, we cultivate individuality, critical thinking, and creativity—essential skills for standing out in an AI-dominated future.”
Noting that this student-centered philosophy remains rare in Hong Kong’s traditional education system, Yeoh emphasized Dalton’s commitment to challenging conventions through personalized learning and passion-driven exploration. Little Basel embodied this vision—with hands-on workshops, immersive art experiences, and collaborative projects—all designed to ignite curiosity, self- expression, and bold new ways of thinking.
A Festival of Creative Exploration
• Hong Kong Ballet's immersive workshop revealed the discipline behind artistic expression
• A community mural project transformed school walls into celebrations of local biodiversity
• Interactive maker stations encouraged students to experiment freely with materials
Visit Little Dalton Kindergarten and Huang Yulong’s exhibition in May 2025