Yui Hirata, from Japan, was excited to come to the United States and attend high school as part of CHI’s Academic Year Program. She was placed with a host family in Puyallup, WA and attended Rogers High School. Yui was pleased to learn that her new school offered art classes since her school in Japan did not. She immediately signed up for drawing 1 and 2 taught by Sue Cole. Yui is quoted as saying “She’s my favorite teacher!”. Ms. Cole noticed Yui’s talent early on. “She has successfully mastered every technique,” Cole said. “She’s real sensitive to colors, shading and blending.”
It was Hirata’s oil pastel painting of a natural landscape that recently won her the 2-D Superintendent’s Award at the 2017 Vesey-Munson Art Show in May. One of Yui’s paintings was even purchased by the school district and they plan to display it at a new elementary school opening next year.
Local paper the News Tribune wrote an article about Yui’s artistic accomplishments: New to oil pastels, Rogers High School exchange student discovers great success in new medium