Sumita Kim, an artist and Professor of Art at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, was born in Gwang-ju, South Korea. Growing up in Seoul with artist and journalist parents, she developed a deep appreciation for the power of art and language at an early age.

 

After earning a B.A. in English Literature from Sogang University in Seoul, she worked as a broadcaster at the Dong-A Broadcasting System for two years. In 1979, she came to the United States to continue her education, and in 1982, she was awarded a Master’s degree in film-making from the American University in Washington, DC. She then worked for Voice of America for 10 years as a broadcaster in the Korean Service. There, she received notable recognition, including being selected for the Distinguished Program Award.

 

In 1992, Kim decided to pursue a formal education in fine arts, and resigned from her position at VOA.  She was admitted as a painting major to the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1997. After receiving this degree, in 2000, she was hired as a full-time professor by Montgomery College through a national search. For 20 years, Kim has experienced immense joy teaching at an open-enrollment community college.

 

Kim is currently the Painting Coordinator of the Art Department at the Rockville Campus at MC. From 2008 to 2011, she also served as the Chair of the Art Department. She has been an active member of the college community, serving on schoolwide committees such as the General Education Revision Committee. In 2011, she was recognized for her excellence in teaching by earning the Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award.

 

While committing herself to teaching, she has also continued her career as a practicing artist. Her one-person show, In Limbo, at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland, received a review in The Washington Post. In 2019. Sumita Kim was appointed to the Maryland State Arts Council, and confirmed by the Maryland Senate.