As a graduate of Missouri State University, I appreciate the good education, direction and help of my Alma Mater forever.
The short study in Missouri State University not only helped me get my master degree, but also, it made my long-term art dream to be true.
Sept, 2009, my first art exhibition in Springfield, became the beginning point of my cross-culture and comprehensive art dream in the true world. First time, I sang some Chinese poems in English (I translated them on the road between my hotel to the Creamery Art Center ) to the public.
May, 2010, the first art exhibition at Missouri State University not only helped me to develop my comprehensive art, the most important, it made me feel the sincere care for and help from my American Alma Mater to a common Chinese student when I was in the sickness. The diagnoses on my eyes in the USA, did help my Chinese doctors to make a right judgment of sicknesses in China.
If saying, in 2009, there was so much Gratitude to the University and Springfield Disgional Art Council and Springfield Area Chamber of Commence; in 2010, I started to think of how to return the university and Springfield people with some actual actions. First time, I donated 64 of my paintings to Springfield by the witness of Springfield Chamber of Commence.
Then I entered the best art college in China in my sick-leave, and wanted to use for about 3 years, to realize the conversion from securities industry to art field.
The in 2013, I have basically completed the conversion, and started a new exploration not only in the art practice, but also in the theory...
So, today, when my art exhibition got good comments from Springfield public, and I will have some opportunities to start two classes in a K-12 school and a college for a few weeks yearly for another 3 years, except I appreciate the school and the college, in my heart is also full of the endless appreciation to the university. I know every clear, if there was no Missouri State University, there would not be my today.
With a grateful heart, I sent this painting to Missouri State University, to express my endless appreciated heart as its graduate...
I was lucky enough that Dr.Clifton M Smart (the second one on the left) -President of Missouri State University accepted it, Dr.Hai Higron (in the middle) - President of Ozarks Technique Community College -- Dr. Steven Rishop - Provost of Ozarks Technique Community College (first one on the right) witnessed it.
If you have any questions, comments and suggestions, please write to
shirley@ebridge.cn . You are welcome to publish your opinions in
Message Board as well.
Shirley Yiping Zhang
March 7, 2014
