NEW YORK, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The third annual No-Boundaries International Art Exhibition kicked off at Columbia University in New York City on Thursday, highlighting a Chinese educator's bold vision about the power of art to transcend borders.

Themed "One Tree, One City," the exhibition features more than 150 artworks by children in grades K-12 from 15 countries, including China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Kenya.

Launched in 2016 by Yan Baitong, a Chinese teacher, the annual event aims to build an international art and educational platform by connecting young artists regardless of nationality, languages or culture.

"I hope the project will help cultivate children's social responsibility and their caring about the nature through visual arts," Yan, who has been dedicated to children's art education for years, told Xinhua.

"This year's exhibition focuses on public welfare: observing the life and energy of trees, emphasizing the interconnectivity of our lives and trees. The artworks indicate children's observations and appreciations for the environment, showing us their love for this world via art," she added.

Judith M. Burton, a professor from Teachers College of Columbia University, said the art show presents a unique opportunity to leverage the power of the arts as a lingua franca that connects human beings across geographical, linguistic and cultural borders.

This year's exhibition was officially launched in Beijing in July and will travel to Paris in France, Nairobi in Kenya and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The exhibition's New York tour runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 29.