Faculty Profile: Instructor Una Kim flips the script on teaching, learning and art
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.
Portland Community College art faculty Una Kim is flipping the script on how college instructors teach and how students learn.
A seasoned artist and instructor at PCC for the past 25 years, Kim lives in a working-class neighborhood in Southeast Portland. Born in Korea, she moved to the United States as a teenager and began her academic journey as an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) student at a community college in Los Angeles. This personal experience influenced her empathetic and inclusive teaching approach, especially towards students from diverse backgrounds.
“Art is everywhere,” Kim said. “It makes connections and helps us to understand the world around us. It’s a tool. I’m powerful because I see. Whether it’s catastrophe or climate change, it makes you realize you need neighbors and relationships. It cuts-out the fat and you see that in art too.”
Una Kim in studio.
Her involvement extends beyond the classroom as she actively participates in discussions around systemic issues, drawing from her own experiences to mentor and guide her students.
“Una is an engaged and generous colleague,” said Christine Weber, North View Gallery director. “She is an inspirational teacher who has students that follow her to multiple campuses and students who still talk about being influenced by her, long after they have left PCC. We are lucky to have Una as a faculty member here.”
Flipping Her Approach
Kim has flipped her method of teaching to emphasize flexibility and student-centered learning, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Recognizing the mental health challenges and socio-economic difficulties faced by many of her students, Kim has adapted her previously stringent policies to focus more on the quality of education and the well-being of her students.
“As many know, PCC students are under-resourced with lack of affordable housing, in some zip codes many live in food deserts, unable or unaccustomed to eating healthy food as fuel, Kim said. “They live in crowded, shared spaces where it is a challenge to find space to think and be, and do creative things.”
She said that the protocol of what is a “good student” that she learned also needs to be flipped as times change. Kim believes in creating an engaging and supportive environment where students feel seen and valued, especially since she might be the first or only art teacher they encounter.
“Mental health is a huge concern for so many students,” she added. “And suicide is happening. Why?” She asks and answers: “The system is down.”
Innovative Practices
One of Kim’s notable initiatives was a painting workshop for ESOL students in March, organized in conjunction with her exhibition at the North View Gallery on the Sylvania Campus. This workshop not only introduced students to color theory and composition but also allowed them to connect with Kim’s personal story as a former ESOL student, inspiring many to see themselves reflected in her journey.
The noted artist has taught at PCC for the past 25 years.
She said that her art is fueled by deeply-felt physical reactions to lifelong and current socio-political dynamics. Because of Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements, the noted artist said she better sees biases and better understands what she herself has faced.
It’s safe to say that Kim stirs it up through her art. She blends traditional and contemporary forms and techniques with her lived experience. By reusing plastic transparencies and rice paper, she re-envisions iconographic and autobiographical imagery.
Her recent work, showcased this spring in the “Battlegrounds” exhibition at North View, reflects her deep engagement with social issues and personal history. She is currently exploring further evolution in ink and mixed media, returning to her roots in calligraphy while pushing the boundaries of her craft.
Engaging the Community
Kim is a strong advocate for the power of art to foster connections and understanding. With community mural art projects, she empowers students to express themselves creatively. This month, as an example, she is organizing PCC students to paint the Canby Medical Clinic’s Neighborhood Health Center, which are providers of healthcare to extra low-income earners.
Kim understands the complexities of life facing her students.
In August 2023, Kim received the prestigious HARTs grant, which enabled her to exhibit her work both in Korea and at PCC. This grant, part of an initiative by former PCC President Mark Mitsui, honored excellence in fine and literary arts, further cementing Kim’s status as a key figure in the artistic and academic community.
Kim is continually evolving her practice, with upcoming projects focusing on the further development of her “Battlegrounds” series. She plans to delve deeper into the use of ink and mixed media, exploring new dimensions and techniques. Despite the challenges, Kim said she remains committed to lifelong learning and teaching, always seeking to inspire and be inspired by her students.