History and Highlights of KAAW
Since its inception in 1989, KAAW (the Korean-American Artists Association of Washington State) has been endeavoring for its professional development with activities seen in the highlights as follows:
2023
The 32nd Member’s Exhibition Featuring the 70th Anniversary of the R.O.K & U.S. Alliance at the Schack
Art Center, Everett WA from November 22, 2023, through January 6, 2024, with the 11th KAAW Scholarship award
ceremony (Namkung Johsel scholarship, Korean Consulate General scholarship, KAAW scholarship)
†Community Supports:
– Luna New Year Festival at Tacoma Dome on February 25, 2023
– Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center and Gig Harbor in 2023
– Art Exhibition Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the R.O.K & U. S. A. Alliance at the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Seattle from August 1 through December 29, 2023
President: Hannah Kyungsook Ra. Vice-President: Monica Bae
2022
†Community Supports for Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center and Gig Harbor in 2022
President: Bella Kim. Vice-President: Myung Sweet
2021
The 30th KAAW Member’s Exhibition was held as an online exhibition with a flippable book on KAAW.net starting December 12, 2021.
† KAAW website (KAAW.net) was rebuilt in April 2021 to modernize and enhance ability to accept online application for KAAW call for art and Scholarship application.
†KAAW ART CONTEST was held at Consulate General of The Republic of Korea from September 13 through October 20. The reception of the KAAW ART CONTEST was held with the 9th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award ceremony on September 29.
†Community Supports for Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2021
President: Bella Kim. Vice-President: Myung Sweet
2020
The 29th KAAW Member’s Exhibition at Washington Seattle Convention Center was postponed and was presented online exhibition via Facebook from September 28 through December 21, 2020 due COVID-19 Pandemic. The Scholarship Art Competition was cancelled.
†Community Supports for Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2020, Annual Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival were also cancelled due to Pandemic.
President: Junie Kim. Vice-President: Mira Kim
2019
The 28th Member’s Exhibition at Tacoma Community College Gallery, Tacoma WA from September 23 through October 25, 2019 with the 8th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award ceremony.
† Community Supports: 3rd Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2019, Annual Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival.
† A Centennial Celebration of Johsel Namkung’s Exhibition was held at Consulate General of The Republic of Korea from October 9 through 30, 2019
President: Junie Kim. Vice-President: Mira Kim
2018
The 27th Member’s Exhibition at Washington State Convention Center (Phyllis Lamphere Gallery): 705 Pike Street Seattle WA from June 30 through September 25, 2018 with the 7th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award ceremony.
†Community Supports: 2nd Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2018, Annual Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival.
†Art Auction at Korean American Coalition 2018 Gala: November 2, 2018.
President: Hyosoon Jung, Vice-President: Junie Kim
2017
The 26th Member’s Exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402) from October 11, 2017 to December 29, 2017 and reception at TAM with the 6th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award ceremony.
†Lynnwood Convention Center Juried Group Art Exhibition (3711 196th Street SW, Lynnwood WA 98036) from July 7, 2017 to end of December 2017.
†Community Supports: 1st Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2017, Annual Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival, Juried at Art Contest for “Korean School in North West”, and many more.
President: Hyosoon Jung, Vice-President: Junie Kim.
2016
The 24th Member’s Exhibition at Mercer Island Gallery (8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040) from January 11, 2016 to Feburary 26, 2016. The 25th Member’s Exhibition / The 5th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award will be presented during reception at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma WA 98042) from September 1 through September 30, 2016.
†Tour Paradox of Place at Seattle Asian Art Museum / KAAW facebook revived on Feburary 20, 2016
†Juried at Art Contest for Korean School in NorthWest: June 4, 2016. Participating members: Patsy Surh O’Connell, Myongae Lee, Yuni Wong, Jennifer Kwon, Kyong Oh
†Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival on June 25-26, 2016. Participating members: Jennifer Kwon, Hyosoon Jung (poster design), Matilda Kim, Jae W. Kim, Tae Jung Lee.
†Lynnwoood City Hall mini exhibitions 1: September to Octobr, 2016. Participating members: Myongae Lee, Jennifer Kwon, Kyong Oh, Yuni Wong , Hyosoon Jung
† Korean American Coalition 2016 National Convention: September 16, 2016. Jennifer Kwon as president of KAAW present a Gala award to Sara Zin for Artistic Achievement Award
†Lynnwoood City Hall mini exhibitions 2: October – November, 2016. Participating members: Grace Kim, Miho Chung, Si Nam, Yang Park, Monica Namkung
President: Jennifer Kwon, Vice-President: Hyosoon Jung.
2015
The 23rd Member’s Exhibition / The 4th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition show at Handforth Library (1102 Tacoma Ave. S Tacoma. WA 98402) from September 15 through October 30, 2015. The 4th Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award will be presented at Handforth Library during KAAW reception.
† Korean-American Cultural Event at Shoreline Art Festival on July 4 & 5, 2015. Participating members: Jennifer Kwon, Hyosoon Jung, Nam H Kim, Jae W. Kim, Tae Jung Lee.
† Korean-American Heritage Celebration at King County Superior Court on June 4, 2015. Participating members: Jennifer Kwon, Hyosoon Jung, Miho Chung, Si Nam, Nam H Kim, Yuni Wong.
President: Jennifer Kwon, Vice-President: Hyosoon Jung.
2014
The 22nd Member’s Exhibition / The 3rd Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition show will be at Washington State Convention Center (South Galleria): 800 Convention Place Seattle WA from October through December 2014. The 3rd Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition award will be presented at Washington State Convention Center during KAAW reception.
President: Mira Kim, Vice-President: Jennifer Kwon.
2013
The 21st Member’s Exhibition / Korean Artists in Washington State Exhibition at Tacoma Community College Gallery, Tacoma WA from June 24 through August 15 2013. The 2nd Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition show was held from December 1 through January 4, 2014 at the MarketPlace Factoria mall, Bellevue WA.
President: Miho Chung, Vice-President: Jennifer Kwon.
2012
The 20th Member’s Exhibition and The 1st Namkung Johsel Scholarship Art Competition show was held from October 1 through November 30 at the Lakewood Library Gallery in Tacoma WA. Member’s Art display at Franciscan Hospice from April 28 through June 15.
President: Miho Chung.
2011
The Nineteenth Member’s Exhibition at Washington State Convention Center / North Galleria: 800 Convention Place Seattle WA from July 16 through October 23. Member’s Art display at The Consulate General of Republic of Korea in Seattle WA during all year by rotation.
President: Bella Youngok Kim.
2010
The 20th Anniversary Celebration / The Eighteenth Member’s show / The 2nd Pacific Northwest Art Competition show was held from September 13 through October 22 at the Mercer View Gallery in Mercer Island Community Center. Korean Contemporary Art Invitation was held at Handforth Gallery of Tacoma.
President: Jung Ho Kim.
2009
The Seventeenth Member’s show which include International Korean artists was held from October 1-31 at the New Dimensions Frame & Gallery in Bellevue.
President: Patsy In Suk Surh O’Connell.
2008
The Sixteenth Members’ show was held from September 1 through 26 at the Daniel Smith Gallery in Seattle.
President: Patsy In Suk Surh O’Connell.
2007
Due to change of Officers were held late, we did not have the Annual Members’ show.
President: Patsy In Suk Surh O’Connell.
2006
The Fithteenth Members’ show was held from November 18 through January 4, 2007 at the Handforth Gallery in Tacoma.
President: Kyung Lim Hong.
2005
The First Pacific Northwest Art Competition and Fourteenth Members’ show was held at the Seattle Artists Gallery from December 1 through 20, 2005.
President: Jessica Kim.
2004
The Thirteenth members’ show was held at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center during November 15 to December 29 at the former Tacoma Art Museum building.
President: Mr. Sang Hoon Noh.
2003
Due to change of the Officers were held late, we did not have the Annual Members’ show.
President: Esther Foerderer.
2002
The twelfth annual members’ and the winners’ of tenth Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition opening at the Friends Gallery in Lakewood Library, Lakewood from September 4 to September 28. The tenth Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at Titlow Park in Tacoma.
President: Kyung Lim Hong.
2001
The eleventh annual members’ and the winners’ of ninth Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center in Seattle from October 1 – October 31. The ninth Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at the Seattle Center in Seattle.
President: Chung Youl Han.
2000
The tenth annual members’ and the winners’ of the eighth Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the Bank of America Gallery in Seattle from September 11 – October 20. The eighth Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at the Seattle Center in Seattle, on June 10, 2000.
President: Hyang Kim.
1989-1999
- 1999 The ninth annual members’ and the winners’ of the seventh Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the American Art Company in Tacoma. The seventh Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma.
President: Hyang Kim. - 1998 The eight annual members’ and the award winners’ of the sixth Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. The sixth Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at Gasworks Park in Seattle.
President: Hyun Sook Lee. - 1997 The seventh annual members’ and the award winners’ of the fifth Pacific NW Student Art Competition exhibition was held at Dimension Design Center in Bellevue. The fifth Pacific NW Student Art Competition was held at Volunteer Park, Seattle.
President: Mr. In Sik Choi. - 1996 The sixth annual members’ and the award winners’ of the fourth Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the Seafirst Gallery in downtown Seattle. The fourth Student Art Competition was held at Wright Park in Tacoma. The name of Student Art Competition was changed to Pacific NW Student Art Competition.
President: Patsy In Suk Surh O’Connell - 1995 The fifth annual members’ and the award winners’ of third Student Art Competition exhibition was held at the Handforth Galley in Tacoma. The celebration of fiftieth Korean Independence Day took place at Meany Hall of University of Washington, KAAW was invited to exhibit their works. The third annual Student Art Competition was held at Gasworks Park in Seattle.
President: Patsy In Suk Surh O’Connell. - 1994 The fourth annual members’ exhibition was held at the Korean Society in Seattle with award winners works of the second annual student art competition which was organized by KAAW and sponsored by the Korea Times, Seattle.
President: Hak Ki Han. - 1993 The third annual members’ exhibition was held at the Korean Society in Seattle. Also by invitation of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, the members works were shown at Northgate Mall, Seattle.
- 1991 The second annual members’ exhibition was held at the Seattle Public Library in conjunction with the Library’s Centennial celebration.
- 1990 The first annual members’ exhibition was held at the BJ Gallery, Federal Way, Washington.
- 1989 KAAW was organized by the Korean immigrants with visual art background.
*** We express our gratitude and appreciation to those Korean immigrants who have started this organization ***