Young Kim
Fine Arts MFA '23
“I had a wonderful journey at , experiencing challenges, endeavors, achievements, and the beauty of sharing and collaboration,” says Young Kim, a recent recipient of an MFA in Fine Arts.
What would you say has been the most surprising thing you learned at ?
The most surprising thing I learned at is that sharing is the best academic tool. I am from South Korea. I felt intimidated three years ago when getting to for the MFA program, my first educational experience in the U.S. The intimidation gradually evaporated as the professors shared their caring and support with me. Their sharing has fostered my confidence to be an artist at . I am so grateful to all for their sharing and support – particularly professor Melissa Potter.
What individuals or programs at were helpful to you in reaching your goal of graduating?
I appreciate the Graduate Studio class and the Graduate Critique the most. My artwork has been nurtured in the Graduate Studio, which offers in-depth meetings with the instructors. I am so grateful for the unique insight and creativity of Adjunct Marc Fischer and Associate Professor Duncan MacKenzie, among others. Moreover, my art pieces have further developed in the Graduate Critique, which invites creators and thinkers at to the class to discuss every student's artwork. I have cultivated their art knowledge, references, wisdom, and experiences which have become assets for my artwork and art practice.
I should mention the experience of being a Graduate Student Instructor. I was taught how to teach by Associate Professor Niki Nolin in my third semester at . She led the pedagogy class, where I learned that kindness, love, and respect are valuable scholarly instruments. I then shared the educational devices I learned with my students in the two Drawing I classes I taught as a GSI. I met many wonderful undergraduates and experienced their drawing growth and joy. I am so proud of them and myself.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I will continue my optimistic art practice after graduation. My other plan is to teach students.
If you were going to sum up your experience at in one sentence, what would you say?
I had a wonderful journey at , experiencing challenges, endeavors, achievements, and the beauty of sharing and collaboration.