The ribbon-cutting event in the historic Jongno District capped an enriching week of community and alumni engagement in South Korea and Japan.
Earlier this month, several School of Visual Arts administrators traveled to Japan and South Korea to conduct outreach efforts, reconnect with area alumni, and celebrate the official opening of a new College office and the Andrew Chang Gallery in Seoul—named for former Director of International Programs and longtime faculty member Andrew Chang (MFA 1987 Illustration as Visual Essay)—with a ribbon-cutting event and exhibition opening.
In Japan, SVA Executive Vice President Anthony P. Rhodes, Director of SVA’s International Student Office Kaori Uchisaka, Director of SVA’s International Outreach Adam Rogers, International Outreach Regional Coordinator Frankie Cihi (BFA 2010 Fine Arts), and SVA Controller Dennis Mayer engaged in educational and alumni visits. Those included meeting the leaders and administration of the Joshibi University of Art and Design in Tokyo, plus a tour of their new Collaborative Design building; meeting with Takuro Ichino and Mizuho Kato, PR representatives from SVA’s Destination program Made In Yame; and attending a dinner with alumni based in the country. In addition, Cihi and Rogers led several recruitment visits to high schools. The SVA representatives also traveled to Kyoto to visit the leadership of the Kyoto University of the Arts and have a lunch and Murin-An garden tour with alumnus Kuniharu Abe (BFA 2009 Film and Video).
Following the Japan itinerary was a busy schedule in Seoul, where the visiting SVA personnel included BFA Interior Design: Built Environments Chair Carol Bentel, SVA Board of Directors member Tak Hoon Kim (MFA 2005 Computer Art; BFA 1997 Animation), SVA Controller Dennis Mayer, SVA Alumni Affairs and Development Director Jane Nuzzo, Executive Vice President Rhodes, International Outreach Director Adam Rogers, and Executive Director of SVA Admissions and Student Affairs Javier Vega.
The trip’s docket included visits to area high schools, colleges, portfolio prep programs, and a college fair. An SVA delegation also traveled to Seoul’s Chung-ang University, where SVA Board of Directors member and Korean Alumni Association President Emeritus Tak Hoon Kim (MFA 2005 Computer Art; BFA 1997 Animation) is a professor, stopping by Kim’s campus office as well as Tak Toon Enterprise, one of his two animation studios. Alumnus Gyuhyun (Q) Kim (BFA 2012 Computer Art) joined the group, and discussions ranged from the alumni’s various ventures to SVA admissions and recruitment. The group then met with other CAU officials, including its president, Sang-Gue Park, for a bibimbap lunch and exchange of gifts. (Later this month, Tak Hoon, Q, and other CAU colleagues will be in New York City as guest lecturers for an AI symposium at SVA.) That evening, the visiting SVA administrators joined a Korean Alumni Association leadership dinner, which honored the organization’s current president, Kenny Kim (BFA 1994 Graphic Design).
The capstone event of the Korea visit, however, was the reception and ceremony to inaugurate the new Andrew Chang Gallery, named to honor Chang’s contributions to establishing SVA as a globally recognized institution. Located in a handsomely renovated, street-facing space in Jongno-gu—the historic center of Seoul and a pedestrian-heavy location studded with major businesses, tourist attractions, and government offices—the gallery and adjoining SVA office are staffed by Assistant Director of SVA International Outreach Hee won Seo (MFA 2012 Fine Arts) and Regional Coordinator Chloe Choi (BFA 2022 Design). In attendance for the evening were many Korea-based alumni; representatives from Education USA, portfolio prep programs, and partnering universities; as well as local curators and gallery owners.
“Andrew is so deserving of having this gallery named in his honor,” Rhodes said. “For more than 30 years, he welcomed thousands of new students to study at SVA and ensured their connections remained strong after graduation. We would not have as vibrant an international community of alumni today if it weren’t for Andrew’s tireless dedication and commitment. This new venue signifies SVA’s ongoing dedication to its Korean alumni and students, who have been an integral part of our community since the 1970s.”
SVA has had a physical presence in Seoul for more than a decade, first inside the Dongsoong Art Center in Daehak-ro, Seoul’s University District, then in Gangnam, a prestigious district known for its upscale commercial scene. The new space offers the opportunity to more prominently showcase the work of SVA’s talented alumni, including Sea Moon Kim (BFA 2016 Illustration), Rina Ji hyeon Park (BFA 2016 Fine Arts), Jee Hui Chang (MFA 2007 Fine Arts) and Jeongmee Yoon (MFA 2006 Photography, Video, and Related Media), who are currently exhibiting as part of “Re:constructed Records,” on view at the gallery through Saturday, October 19.
The Andrew Chang Gallery and office will showcase SVA through information sessions, guest lectures, and artist talks, all the while strengthening the College’s local profile within South Korea’s vibrant art scene. It will also offer recruitment opportunities for prospective students, including portfolio reviews and one-on-one meetings. For the coming year, many collaborations with the College’s impressive network of alumni artists are in the works, including a partnership this December with the prominent Korean print association Print Art and Research Center, where many alumni occupy key leadership roles. The gallery, which has already welcomed hundreds of visitors, is located at Yulgok-ro 3-gil 73 Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea, 03062, and is open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday.
See below for more images of the SVA Andrew Chang Gallery and office opening ceremony and reception.