Interview with Soyeon Kim, Fine Art Director
at Centauri Arts Camp
This past week, I had the opportunity to interview the multi-talented Soyeon Kim, who returns this summer to teach fine art with us at Centauri Summer Arts Camp.
Here’s a transcript of our conversation!
Julie: Hi, Soyeon! Last summer you joined us for the first time, teaching hugely creative programs entitled ‘Myth, Magic and Monsters’ and ‘An Artist’s Guide to Comic Book Creation.’ The campers loved you – and you’re coming back this summer for sessions 2 and 3. Can you tell me when you fell in love with making art, and why?
Soyeon: I can’t really recall exactly when I fell in love with making art, because I really loved drawing and painting as far back as I can remember. I think the reason why I fell in love with making art is because I was so fascinated by what you can really do with just a pencil and paper. There were no rules, no limitation on what I can draw, make and create.
Julie: Why do you love teaching?
Soyeon: I love teaching because I can share my skills, and I can also learn and be inspired by different individuals’ creativity. I believe no one can really anticipate what kind of participants will be in a program. Teaching is full of surprises and we all learn from each other, not just skills but our thoughts and ideas.
Julie: Tell us about some of the artistic achievements you are most proud of.
Soyeon: I am most proud that I got to illustrate the children’s book, ‘You Are Stardust’ (written by Elin Kelsey). It is my first book, and it was also made into an iPad app, where I got to do the voice recording for ‘behind the making of art.’ In addition, ‘You Are Stardust’ has been nominated for a Blue Spruce Award in the Forest of Reading program!
Julie: What project are you working on at the moment?
Soyeon: I just finished creating art for my second book, which is about a little bird’s migration story. The artworks for this book are a little bit different than the ‘You Are Stardust’ dioramas, because instead of placing my drawings in a box, I did individual drawings and cut them out to place them on a separate background paper.
Julie: What’s the most memorable art experience (or job) you have ever had?
Soyeon: This has to be when I went to Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia to attend their Young Artist’s program. I was sent to St. Petersburg to attend museum tutorials, daylong trips outside of the city and to visit contemporary artists’ studios.
Julie: Do you have a non-artistic side? What do you like to do in your free time that has nothing to do with the arts?
Soyeon: I love snowboarding during winter and biking during summer, although my physicality is not perfectly fit for sport. I can be very clumsy sometimes, but I guess I can also say that I am very adventurous!
What do you look forward to most about teaching at Centauri Arts Camp?
Soyeon: I look forward to meet both old and new faces. I cannot wait to teach art again this summer, to discover all of your amazing skills and ideas! I am ready to be inspired by all of you!
Julie: Do you have any teasers to offer your campers, about what they can expect from your programs this summer?
Soyeon: For those who will be joining ‘Asian Art Techniques,’ we will be visiting Japan, Korea and China through art making. We will be making prints, exploring traditional patterns and symbols and even learning to write some Chinese characters!
For ‘Art & Design: Make it, Wear it, Use it!’ we will create everyday objects that we can use in our life, but with a little bit of but with a little bit of artistic twist. We will make journals different textured papers, design and print our own t-shirts and much more
Soyeon Kim is an award-winning artist and illustrator who will be returning to Centauri Arts Camp for a second season this year. A qualified teacher, Soyeon combines a love of art with a passion for working with youth.
Interviewed by Julie Hartley
Director
Centauri Summer Arts Camp
& Centauri Arts Academy