Award-winning artist hired

Kendall adds metal-craft artist to faculty

Kendall College of Art and Design has hired award-winning artist Jun Suk Min to teach its metals and jewelry design program.

Born in Korea, Min has earned two Masters of Fine Arts degrees (MFA) in metal-crafts from Seoul National University and metal and jewelry from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Min has taught at multiple major universities in South Korea including Seoul National University, Cheongju University and Seokyeong University. In the U.S., Min has taught at both Rochester Institute for Technology (RIT) and State University of New York at Geneseo.

However, Min said he ranks Kendall as one of the best colleges for instructors.

“I truly like teaching at Kendall,” said Min. “Among them, Kendall is one of the best schools for teaching.”

Among the advantages of working at Kendall College, Min said the relationships built within the university help strengthen his commitment to teaching.

“Additionally, cooperating relationships among staff, faculty and students is really impressive,” said Min.

During his free time, Min said he is busy creating 3-D structures. Min has received three awards at the Cheongju International Craft Competition in South Korea. He said most of his work incorporates moving elements that the viewer can easily operate by hand.

Recently, Min has submitted a piece in this year’s ArtPrize, an annual open art competition held in Grand Rapids.

Decided by public voting, the contest awards the winner $250,000. Min’s work, entitled “The Walnut Tree,” will be on display between Sept. 22 and Oct. 6 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Voted as one of the top 100 artists last year among the 1,200 contestants, Min is hoping for another strong showing at this year’s contest.

“Metal crafts fuel my passion for creating,” said Min.

Throughout his teaching career, Min said he has met quite a few students from various backgrounds. Min said he will continue to focus on recognizing the uniqueness of every student.

“It is significant to develop the individual student’s potential,” said Min. n