WCAAD Student Eric Lin Earned Acceptance to Art Center

It is my great pleasure to congratulate Yijie “Eric” Lin in being accepted at Art Center College of Design in the Illustration program with a scholarship of $22,500/year total $90,000.
 
In addition, Eric recently has been accepted to: SAIC–School of the Art Institute of Chicago - scholarship 17,850/year total 71,400; SVA-School of Visual Arts New York; Parsons-The New School for Design $19,000/year total $76,000.

Eric’s portfolio artwork

Eric’s portfolio artwork

​Since Eric arrived at our Academy, he demonstrated a talent that is exceptional. Eric’s ideas and execution have been enhanced through his determination to become a better artist technically, through process and the ability to generate and experiment with styles. 

​He executes his ideas fully with research and can connect to diverse audiences. His creative and passion for art has propelled him to be as active in class and engage outside the classroom.

Eric’s portfolio artwork

Eric’s portfolio artwork

​Here, in the life drawings, Eric has been able to capture a sense of movement and intimacy in his works, inspiring others to follow. 

​He has won many awards including Congressional Art Award in Spring 2020. A prize winner for 2020 China children’s Art Calligraphy and photography exhibit. The following three awards were presented to Eric as he won top prizes in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards-Alliance for Young Artists & Writers 2022: 2 Golden Key Awards,1 Silver Award and 2 Honorable Mention Awards.

Eric’s Golden Key Award-winning artwork

​The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 and, for nearly a century, have inspired bold ideas in creative teens throughout the country.
 
Eric has a great sense of color and incorporates elements of urban style mixed with traditional media in his art. He has taken Graffiti, letter development and marker and spray control as well as color theory, with many traditional and digital classes giving him a balanced education. 

​He has extensive knowledge of art history and contemporary artists, and has been very active at his school. He is leading his AP art class, awarded the top three in South Pasadena annual art competition while taking studio studies and screen printing at UC’s. This last Summer he experienced the painting summer program at SVA School of Visual Arts. 

​In addition, past art courses include Art Center for teens, (painting graphic design and head study). He volunteers at the Armory for the Arts where he assists various art teachers, instructing 12–15-year-olds. There he also partook in embroidery, printmaking, sculpture, printmaking, and observational drawing course.

Eric’s portfolio artwork

Eric’s portfolio artwork

​Designing the cover page, Eric is never shy about showcasing his art and jumped at the chance to design for his school yearbook “COPA DE ORO” which included illustrations. 

​Other acclimates include participated in group shows such as PATRIAxYUIE Collab Gallery show, where he costumed painted leather and curated clothing 2019. Another show included SPARC Community art Project where he also was the business scenic painter. Eric even curated a show at Leminspace gallery show (Fall 2019), renting out a gallery space in Chinatown. 

In his spare time Eric has taught art classes for adults at the public park and at Armory Center for the Arts as the teaching assistant. As a backstage volunteer for TEDx South Pasadena High he met many people leading to painting murals on glass walls on mission street in South Pasadena, and in storefronts painting facades for many store fronts. Eric can even find the time to host P.E group lessons for 4-6 yr. old. 

Eric’s portfolio artwork

​Eric’s portfolio artwork

Lastly, Eric is great athlete playing Squash, where he trained for 7 years competing in all age division. His highest ranking was # 35 in the nation. Currently ranked #1 in Boys under 19 competitions in Southern California he has 6 sliver tournament wins, 8 gold tournaments top finishes and 2 Regional Closed Tournaments finishing in the top 3. 

​I have seen Eric’s blossom into a more critical artist who, not only making work out of necessity but is engaging in this generation’s problems. In addition, he is motivating students through his work, ethic, and enthusiasm. This, combined with, an ambition will guide him to become an asset to his art community. 

​（By Omar Gallegos, WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education）