YK Art Union

Artist Journal:

YK Art Union: A Journey of Art and Connection

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Founding the YK Art Union (YKAU) began with a simple idea: to create a space where anyone could engage with art, regardless of age, major, or background. I wanted to start a group where we could draw, visit museums, and connect through shared creativity. That vision felt clear to me from the start, but turning it into a real, functioning club took more work than I expected.

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Starting something new was intimidating. I did not know who would join or how it would unfold, but I was more driven by curiosity than hesitation. I wanted to challenge myself, test my limits, and see what I was capable of building. The main obstacle at first was the school's requirement to have both a president and a vice president in order to officially register a club. The deadline to submit the application was approaching quickly, and I did not have a team yet. I asked my old roommate if I could use her name as vice president so I could move forward with the paperwork. Once it was submitted, I focused on creating a group where people could share ideas, draw together, and explore art throughout the city, visiting galleries and museums and surrounding ourselves with inspiring works and conversation.

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I managed every detail on my own. I designed and posted fliers across seven school buildings, responded to every message, and planned each outing. I regularly emailed members about newly installed artworks in local galleries and museums across the city, encouraging them to explore and stay engaged between our meetings. I chose locations carefully, thinking about how the space and art could inspire discussion and drawing. I did not want it to be a passive club. I wanted members to engage, question, and create together.

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Week by week, the club began to grow. Students from different disciplines joined—designers, photographers, international students, and others. Each brought a different perspective, and each meeting became a place to exchange ideas and broaden how we thought about art. These gatherings reminded me that creativity expands when shared. The discussions, sketches, and gallery walks became a practice of learning from one another.

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Running YKAU taught me more than I imagined. I had to coordinate schedules, manage communications, and maintain a sense of purpose and consistency. It challenged me to stay organized and present, even when things felt uncertain. More than anything, it showed me how a simple idea, when followed through with care and effort, can bring people together.

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YKAU was never just about drawing or visiting museums. It became a way to connect, explore, and think more deeply about what art can be when experienced as a community. It shaped how I see leadership, collaboration, and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome to participate and contribute.

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YKAU was never just about drawing or museum visits. It became a space for connection, curiosity, and growth. It reshaped how I think about leadership, collaboration, and what it means to build community through art. Although my chapter at SVA has closed with the completion of my BFA, that does not mark the end of YKAU.

I plan to continue the union during my graduate studies, whether at a new school or on my own. I am committed to pushing the project further by sharing, learning, and exploring with others, always seeking new art, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to grow.