Cerritos College News Release

Photo of Yen Chun Chang NORWALK, Calif. - October 14, 2008 -Yen Chun (Gina) Chang began drawing almost as soon as she could grip a crayon. Every year from elementary through middle school, her art teacher would call her mother and question what private art lessons Chang was taking. She never took any formal art class until she was in high school, but her drawing skills were far beyond impressive.

She is not sure how she started drawing. “It was just natural to me,” says Chang. “Ever since I can remember I’ve been drawing.”

Interestingly, no one in her family had artistic talent or recommended her to draw. Every year she won some art awards, and had garnered 30 before she reached the age of 20.

She had a “dark” period, too. When she was in high school, her grades were high enough to exempt her from taking term tests. The “immunity” spoiled her and she started to slack off. When she finished high school, she knew she needed to change her surroundings. She decided to go to college in California, joining her older sister who was already there studying at California State University, Long Beach.

Chang took some ESL classes and currently majors in Fine Arts at Cerritos College. She has already begun to distinguish herself in art competitions there. She won third prize in the college’s 2008 Student Art Exhibition. She was selected one of the finalists among entries from 15 states in the West/Southwest Scholarship Competition. No one would believe her entry for this large multi-state competition. “Landscape” was her first oil painting work ever.

“When I registered for Mr. Hagop Najarian’s class last year, I didn’t know it was an oil painting class!” laughs Chang. “I’ve used pencil, charcoal and watercolors, but never tried oil painting before. Mr. Najarian was very helpful in teaching me oil painting techniques. I never imagined I would win an award with my first try.”

Image of landscape portrait painted by Chang “Gina is an exceptional student who possesses a natural ability of observing the world in a poetic way, capturing the nuances of light, atmosphere and color,” says Najarian. “She is a joy to have in the classroom and is already quite accomplished as an artist at a young age. I am sure that she will have great success in her career as an artist.”

Chang is hoping to transfer to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and to become a product designer. She would also like to hold an art exhibition in the near future.

Chang has not decided whether she will stay in the U.S. or go back to Taiwan after she receives her bachelor’s degree, but she is determined not to slack off again, especially for her sister who was diagnosed with lupus and is currently being treated back home. “I will get a degree and become successful in the design industry for my sister,” said Chang.

She also feels that she owes much to her father who left his family to work in Shanghai to pay for his children’s international tuition. One thing has been proven – Chang’s artistic talent and skills will naturally stand out wherever she goes.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages more than 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2008