Stephanie S. Lee
Stephanie S. Lee
Education
2018 Master of Science, Pratt Institute, NY Major: Museums and Digital Culture with Distinction Advanced Certificate in Conservation & Digital Curation Pratt Circle Award for Academic Achievement
2011 Continuing Education in Korean Traditional Folk Painting (Minhwa), Pusan National University, South Korea
2001 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications Design, Pratt Institute, NY Major: Graphic Design Certificate of Excellence Award for Outstanding Merit in Graphic Design Pratt Circle Award for Academic Achievement President’s List 2000 & Dean’s List 1997 to 2000
Solo Exhibitions
2024 Cabinet of Aspiration: A Modern Chaekgeori, Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport, NY
2023 The Twelve, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, NJ
2022 Ouroboros, Flushing Town Hall, Flushing, NY
2019 Modern Virtue in Pigment & Ink, Closter Public Library, Closter, NJ
2016 Echoing Roar, Art Mora, Chelsea NY
2016 Back to Circle, Piermont Public Library, Piermont, NY
2016 Books Vs. Pocket Books, Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood, NJ
2016 Roar, Piermont Flywheel Gallery, Piermont, NY
2016 Artist of the Month - February, Edward Hopper House Art Center, Nyack, NY
2015 Wish, Piermont Flywheel Gallery, Piermont, NY
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Stephanie S. Lee is a Korean-American visual artist, educator, curator, graphic designer, and children’s book author based in Queens, New York. Rooted in Minhwa—the rich tradition of Korean folk painting—her work bridges cultural heritage and contemporary expression through storytelling, design, and community-centered engagement. She is also the founder of KoreanFolkArt.org, a platform dedicated to preserving and sharing Korean folk painting through exhibitions, workshops, and resources.
Trained in both Eastern and Western art practices, Lee is best known for her bookshelf paintings and reimagined folk motifs such as tigers, magpies, cranes, and moon rabbits. Her practice evokes meditative stillness, humor, and cultural symbolism, inviting viewers into personal and shared histories.
She is the founder of The Garage Art Center, a nonprofit arts space fostering cross-cultural dialogue through exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops. Lee has conducted Minhwa workshops at major institutions including the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Princeton University, and Cornell University, reaching participants of all ages.
In addition to her fine art, Lee is an experienced graphic designer and the author/illustrator of original children’s books that introduce young readers to Korean culture through Minhwa-inspired narratives.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Hyperallergic, NY1 News, and WNBC, among others.