On Oct. 14, 2023, the Ewha Womans University Alumnae Association hosted the 9th Young Artist Contest, reuniting Ewha graduates and their children with Ewha. On a Saturday morning on campus, children hiked up the 45 steps to Welch-Ryan Auditorium with their tiny fingers firmly clinging to their parent’s hands. When they reached the reverend chapel, event staff welcomed the diligent ones by handing out brand-new white sketchbooks.
Since 2012, the Young Artist Contest has been annually inviting Ewha family including children, grandchildren, and even cousins of Ewha graduates and staff to the campus. Eligible participants between 4 and 9 years old gather on campus to sketch and paint a picture according to the year’s theme. After assessment, the event ends with an award ceremony for the young artists.
The theme of this year’s contest was autumn picnic. Although the heavy rainfall forbade outdoor picnics, Ewha children and their parents were spotted in different buildings throughout campus, enjoying their own picnic inside.
Inside the Welch-Ryang Auditorium, vibrant colored picnic blankets were covering the floor. Sitting on one bright blue blanket adorned with rainbow patterns were Ewha graduate and mother Chung Kyung Hee with her daughter Kim Yesol.
Chung attended Ewha Womans University in 1994, majoring in the Department of Interior and Fashion. She expressed her excitement about bringing her own daughter to her alma mater, explaining Kim Ewha’s proud history, starting with the first female student that came to Ewha.
“I wish for my daughter to become a leader who contributes to society through whatever talents or gifts she possesses,” Chung said.
Kim, who was focused on her work, displayed her drawing of herself having a picnic with her family. She said she was glad to visit her mother’s campus, ending her remark with her bold determination to win a prize with her drawing.
Like the Welch-Ryang Auditorium, the floor of the Ewha Campus Complex (ECC) was similarly covered with colorful picnic mats. There were even camping chairs for families to sit down and enjoy the picnic to its fullest.
Boram Seo, an Ewha graduate from the Department of Public Administration, first came to Ewha in 2005. Coming back to Ewha with her husband, son, and daughter, Seo was full of joy. She also observed changes both big and small in the business district since her graduation.
“There used to be a hair salon near the main entrance,” Seo recalled. “I also remember a specific tteokbokki place I used to eat at with my friends back then.”
Chung Seo Yoon, the daughter of Seo, last visited Ewha campus when she was much younger. Now 8 years old, Chung shared she was having a good time with her family at Ewha and confidently expressed her dream of becoming a dentist.
Inside the ECC building, a group of families near the ECC Theater were found sketching and painting. Among them, a crimson French beret stood out. The young artist was Yoon Seo Hyun, daughter of Ewha graduate Hong Kyung Sun. Yoon was drawing a picture of her and her parents eating an apple the color of her hat.
“My dream is to become an artist,” Yoon shared, while her mother added that when they were walking around campus, Yoon exclaimed that she wanted to study art at Ewha in the future.
Hong joined Ewha in 2004 majoring in law and spent a total of 10 years at Ewha, continuing her studies at law school. Despite some significant changes to the campus, there were still some parts that remained the same.
“The chapel has not changed for sure, and I remember rushing up the stairs,” Hong reminisced. “Even the old doors of the building have not changed.”
Although the event was followed by heavy rain, every cloud has a silver lining. Lee Myung Kyung, president of the Ewha Womans University Alumnae Association, shared some warm moments during the 9th Young Artists Contest.
“I remember the parents protecting their children’s drawings from the rain at all costs on their way to submit them,” she said. “It was heartwarming to see such considerate actions taken in respect to their children’s efforts.”
During the awards ceremony held in the Welch-Ryang Auditorium, every child went up on stage, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder for a prize. But children are exceptions to such formalities.
“There were children bolting towards the bathroom during the awards,” Lee said as she chuckled. “Some were even sobbing for their moms, who were right in front of the stage.”
Such unexpected yet fun moments added to the special memories of the Young Artists Contests.
“With the Young Artists Contests first opened this year since the pandemic, I was glad to see many families feeling the love and connections at Ewha again,” Lee said. “We hope the annual contest will be another special way for families to reunite with Ewha.”