50 Years of Commitment, Compassion and Community

The year of 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of WCAAD Principal Wang Lei’s career in children’s art education.

（The Chinese American Education Association recognized Wang Lei in 2022 with the Art Education Achievement Award for her 50 years of excellence in art education.）

In addition to offering art education programs for children, West California Academy of Art and Design staff and students have also been continuously taking time and efforts to provide voluntary public service for the community.  During the past twenty years, Principal Lei Wang, WCAAD instructors and students have collectively contributed more than 6,000 hours to domestic and international public service.

Honors for Community Contribution----

2001 President George Bush’s Education Award： Outstanding Art Educator
2004 CA Assembly Recognition: Promotion of Asian Culture
2014 Senator Recognition: Dedication to Art Students
2015 UNICEF Canada Award： Most Outstanding Contribution
2015 Congressional Recognition: Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts
2015 San Gabriel Mayor Recognition: Promotion of Cultural Diversity
2015 City of Hope Recognition: Dedication & Support to HEART for HOPE
2016 Congressional Recognition: Dedication to Providing Art Program for Children
2018 Senate Award：Women of Achievement and Emerging Leaders
2018 Congressional Recognition: Many Years of Dedication to Health Fair
2018 County of Los Angeles Recognition: Dedicated Service to the Community
2018 Mayor of Arcadia Recognition: Diamond Sponsor of Moon Festival
2019 California State Senate Award: Global Outstanding Chinese
2022 Mayor of Monterey Park Recognition：Continuous Support and Dedication in Art Education
2022 Congressional Recognition: High Standards of Excellence and Exemplary Accomplishments in Community
2022 Mayor of San Gabriel City：Promotion of Autism Awareness
2022 California State Treasurer Award：Outstanding Art Education Achievement
2022 U.S. Senator Recognition: Continuous Sponsorship for Health Fair

​The Annual Easter Egg Hunt:  Join effort with San Gabriel Kiwanis Foundation to hold art activities for children, including free art workshops for the whole family, face painting, coloring contest, button making, bookmark design contest.

​NEO Sponsorship:  helped Project NEO to successfully raise funds of $15,000 at the Rubber Duck Race and Design Contest held on May 15th, 2016 at Monterey Park.  Project NEO (Nexus, Enrichment, and Opportunities) is a non-profit organization that provides after school tutor program at no cost.

​The Annual Flag-raising Ceremony: Join effort with IAPAC and AAAA to celebrate July 4th holiday and hold art activities including face painting, bookmark coloring and artistic button pin making, etc.

​The Annual Chinese Lunar Festivals: provide various Chinese culture and art activities for the community, including Lunar New Year Art & Crafts, Mid-autumn Festival Bookmark Coloring contest, Lantern Festival Art Workshop, etc.

​The Annual Chinese Lunar Festivals: provide various Chinese culture and art activities for the community, including Lunar New Year Art & Crafts, Mid-autumn Festival Bookmark Coloring contest, Lantern Festival Art Workshop, etc.

The Annual Halloween Community Volunteer Art Service:  Provide free face-painting service and other art activities for the children and families of the community.

​Group Artwork Donation: 1. Donate 50 students group artwork “Happy Spring Festival” (36 X 138 inches) to the San Gabriel Library in 2013; 2. Donate 82 students group artwork “Hobbit” (36 X 138 inches) to the San Gabriel Library in 2014; 3. Donate 50 students group artwork “Hello Beijing!” to 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

 Cultural Performance Sponsor:  Join effort in sponsoring China Anhun Huangmei Opera’s visiting performance in Los Angeles，aiming to help promote Chinese traditional culture and arts.

Free Live Drawing Contest: host or co-host multiple live drawing contests between 2014 and 2018.  Each time more than 100 children from the community have taken active part in the contests.