Over 300 Youth College students from Diploma of Vocational Education programmes—including Design & Print Media, Mechanical Engineering and Image Design, were invited by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and 2Gather to collaborate with local designers and artists in the inaugural “2026 Graham Festival” in Central. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, students brought fresh interpretation and renewed vitality to the century-old Graham Market, demonstrating the co-creative power of integrating vocational education and community engagement.
Students applied their professional skills to reimagine the market from multiple perspectives. Image Design students partnered with artists to create refreshed visual identities for the stores and promotional materials for stallholders. Mechanical Engineering students employed welding techniques to craft the “Urban Forest” series of metal animal sculptures, integrating technical expertise into public art. Meanwhile, Design & Print Media students rebranded 8 long-established shops, redesigning brand stories and packaging to transform traditional products into distinctive souvenirs. Each project interpreted the market’s history while celebrating neighbourhood connections. These creative works not only enhanced the streetscape but also attracted visitors, increased foot traffic, and stimulated local business through a range of engaging activities, supporting community economic growth and the sustainable development of cultural tourism.
Commenting on the initiative, Principal Wong Chak-wing remarked, “The best classroom is the community, and the most vivid teaching material is culture.” The project reflects Youth College’s educational philosophy of applied learning and social engagement, enabling students to translate classroom knowledge into meaningful community contributions while revitalising local culture and advancing the development of cultural tourism in Hong Kong.
From March 28 to April 14, 2026, the Graham Street Festival featured a series of free workshops, including eco-friendly woodworking, art spray-painting, recycled glass bottle painting, and healthy cooking demonstrations hosted by culinary program presenters.
