As people walk past the gallery at the top of the stairs from the welcome desk in the grand entry, conversations quickly change to discussions about the vibrant paintings hanging outside of the Black Box theatre.  They say the pieces are so good that they look professionally done. The Art Club and art teachers are ecstatic to welcome the artist behind these creations, Minjoo Kim, freshman, to the art family.  She is from Seoul, South Korea and is new to Westminster this year.

Kim has been interested in art for almost seven years. She started to draw at ten years old in an after school club at her elementary school.  She has won prizes for her artwork at her old high school. However, at high schools in South Korea, there are not many opportunities for artists to pursue their passion.

“In Korea, studying art is not viewed as important.  At school, I did not have many chances to create art at all,” said Kim.

Here at Westminster, Kim has many more opportunities to create her artwork and receive critique and help from art teachers.  She takes art classes and has joined the Art Club that meets after school.  Many students are excited to learn from her, while she hopes to also learn from them.

“Minjoo’s style in her paintings and artwork is very new and exciting at Westminster.  Her brilliance is so astounding to me.  I’ve heard many people assure her of a bright future in big cities like L.A. or New York.  I am very excited to learn from her about the techniques she learned while in Korea,” said Andy Thomas, junior.

Kim’s talent and skill, well beyond her years, amazes many students and faculty members.  She is delighted to share her love and passion for art with the student body.  Many students, especially those participating in the Art Club, are excited to learn from her about her technique and skills.

“After I finish drawing, I feel so happy because it looks like a real picture”, said Kim.

Art is the activity that makes Kim feel truly happy.  She loves the feeling she gets when she is done with a piece of artwork because she feels happy about the finished product.  It is a great feeling for someone to be proud about what they have made and become excited to continue on and make more of it.

No one in Kim’s family is an artist but Kim has been inspired by many other people to pursue art throughout her life like her art teacher from the school she went to in Korea.

“My Korean art teacher is the one who inspires me the most.  She taught me the last seven years,” said Kim.

Hopefully, Kim will be able to inspire other students to pursue studying art, like her teacher inspired her.  All artists enjoy certain styles of art more than other styles.  Kim’s favorite style of artwork to make is drawing.  She can create anything she wants with just a piece of paper and a pencil.  However, Kim enjoys every other kind of artwork as well.

“Her artwork is so unique, like nothing I’ve ever seen before, even at professional galleries that I’ve been to,” said Mackenzie Yeager, junior.

Many students have similar opinions as Yeager about Kim’s artwork.  Her paintings, hanging near the Black Box Theatre, look like they could be painted by a professional artist, rather than a young high school student.

“I do not know what my future in art will be, but I know that I want to be making art for the rest of my life,” said Kim.

Kim hopes to be a professional artist in the future.  One day, Kim could have artwork on the walls of a famous gallery somewhere.  Westminster students and faculty will have the privilege of being able to say that they knew her and were able to see some of her work.