Q&A with EunKyung (E.K.) Jeong: Oklahoma Artist, Educator, Leader
By Elizabeth Snell
What does it mean to be an artist, an educator, and a community leader—all at once? For EunKyung (E.K.) Jeong, it means using creativity not just as a form of personal expression, but as a powerful tool for social change, education, and connection.
Meet E.K., a 2025 National Leaders of Color Fellow and an artist, art educator, arts advocate, and community activist dedicated to democratizing access to arts and culture for communities in western Oklahoma. She is a professor of art at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and actively volunteers with local and national professional arts and educational nonprofit organizations. She also serves as the director of the SWOSU Visiting Artist Program.
Originally from Busan, Korea, E.K. earned her BA and MFA in New York in 2005 and then moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma. There, inspired by the volunteer spirit of the local community, she established the Visiting Artist Program, which serves the university and surrounding communities with support from the , the Weatherford Arts Council, the City of Weatherford, and numerous local volunteers.
We’re thrilled to introduce you to E.K. as part of our Q&A series spotlighting our region’s National Leaders of Color Fellows. This year, 55 National Leaders of Color Fellows fellows were selected nationwide, including six artist leaders from M-AAA’s six-state region of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, and, of course, Oklahoma. Through an eight-month leadership development experience curated by Creative West in collaboration with the US Regional Arts Organizations (US RAOs), these fellows will deepen their work in arts leadership and advocacy. For E.K, this opportunity aligns seamlessly with her passions for art, education, and community engagement.
Let’s hear more from E.K. in her own words:
Weavers working with EunKyung Jeong on a tapestry. Photo courtesy of EunKyung Jeong.
What is your earliest memory of being involved with art and creative work?
E.K.: My journey in art began in elementary school when I lived next door to an artist couple. The female artist invited me to explore their studio, which sparked my interest in her creative space. Until then, my understanding of women’s roles in family and society was primarily about caregiving rather than pursuing passions. Eventually, I took lessons from her, which led me to attend art college. Art became a vital outlet, allowing me to take charge of my thoughts and actions in a social context where women faced restrictions.
What are your hopes and visions for your community and our region as a whole?
E.K.: I envision a future where arts, culture, and education are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds and situations. I hope for a more inclusive community where people support one another and develop global competence in our rapidly changing world. I want increased activities and resources dedicated to our region’s future of arts, culture, and education.
What keeps you moving forward?
E.K.: I am driven forward by my intellectual curiosity and sense of responsibility as a role model for my students, colleagues, and community activists. Whether I actively seek this role or not, my students observe my journey and professional growth as a woman, a minority, and an immigrant. Many have told me they are inspired by how I navigate challenges and continue to advance, encouraging them to do the same. My fellow community leaders support my projects and work together to solve community concerns. I am grateful to be part of a larger movement striving for equitable communities, including opportunities like LoCF.
What projects are you working on these days?
E.K.: I have been actively involved in community outreach to promote equal access to arts and culture for 20 years. After successfully completing a collaborative tapestry project in western Oklahoma, I began sharing the outcomes and insights gained from that experience. Attending conferences, networking with other professionals, and serving as a board member of the local literacy coalition have all significantly shaped my understanding of the needs of of community and the roles I can play at meeting those needs.
Currently, I am developing outreach projects that incorporate arts, culture, and humanities—along with global competence—as lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, including myself. Additionally, I am writing an autobiography to share my journey as a first-generation college student and a first-generation immigrant navigating a career in higher education as an art professor and community outreach program director. Through this autobiography, I aim to enhance public understanding of the experiences of first-generation college students and immigrants while providing hope and strength to those who can relate to my story.
Is there someone that you have admired (mentor, teacher, friend, or artist) that impacted your path in a positive way that you’d like to share?
E.K.: Numerous individuals have positively impacted my journey, particularly a professor named Terry Adkins, who guided me during my graduate studies in New York. The encouragement, challenges, and valuable feedback he provided have left a lasting impression on me. Sadly, Terry passed away, which has deepened my appreciation for his influence. After moving to Oklahoma, I met many compassionate colleagues in higher education from diverse cultures. I also learned a great deal about community arts and arts advocacy from dedicated volunteers and arts administrators associated with the Weatherford Arts Council and the Oklahoma Arts Council. I particularly admire Julia Kirt, an Oklahoma legislator who is the former director of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. Our shared interests and experiences in working for a more equitable and inclusive society have been a profound source of inspiration for me.
A tapestry in progress. Courtesy of EunKyung Jeong.
Who else should we get to know in our region?
E.K.: Numerous dedicated arts administrators and artist volunteers work for the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. I recommend getting involved with their work.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us, including your experience as a Leaders of Color Fellow so far?
E.K.: My experience as a Leaders of Color Fellow has been both surreal and transformative. Connecting with leaders from across the United States has been invaluable. I am deeply grateful to the faculty members who share their knowledge from their field experiences. Their insights humble me and provide a solid foundation for my future professional endeavors to provide more equitable access to arts, culture, and education for all. I truly feel supported.
More about E.K.:
E.K. also received a Fulbright Scholar Award for the 2022–2023 academic year and currently serves as the Fulbright Alumni Campus Coordinator for Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she enhances global competencies among students, faculty, and communities.
To learn more about the 2024–2025 fellows, visit artslead.org/leaders/leaders-of-color-fellowship/2024nationalfellows. We will present additional Q&A sessions with each fellow throughout the spring.
The National Leaders of Color Fellowship is supported by the six US Regional Arts Organizations: Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and program convener Creative West.
About the US Regional Arts Organizations
The US Regional Arts Organizations strengthen and support arts, culture, and creativity in their individual regions as well as across the nation. They serve the nation’s artists, arts and culture organizations, and creative communities with programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the field in which they work. They partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts agencies, individuals, and other public and private funders to develop and deliver programs, services, and products that advance arts and creativity. Learn more at www.usregionalarts.org.