Kate Oh Trabulsi: As the former owner of an image reproductions company, Kate Oh Trabulsi often visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art to look at art that she was commissioned to reproduce. Taken in by the beauty of the museum, Kate decided to continue her fine arts and art history studies. She subsequently started working as a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since 2004, she has been introducing the historical artwork exhibited at the museum to many Korean visitors. In 2013, she became the Korean Tour Guides’ captain. During those 11 years at the Met she gained more appreciation of oriental art especially Minhwa painting. Her current art is mostly traditional and contemporary Minhwa art.

Kate has a background as a painter and a sculptor (Parsons, The New School for Design, B.F.A. ’98 M.F.A. ’00). Having resided in New York City, away from her home country for over 20 years, she pursued Minhwa art to reconnect with her Korean roots. She was fascinated by the sublimity of its lines and colors, and became a Minhwa artist herself to share her interpretation of the artistic genre. Also being a skilled traditional Korean dancer, Kate performed at the 19th Annual Korean Performing Arts Center (KPAC) Concert, Taepy’ŏng Sôngdae, Great Peace, Tranquility, and Joy for Thousands of Years!, organized by Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association.

She is a board member of the Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation USA (KACAF) and a Member of the Korean-New York Artist Association.

Maria Yoon: Drawing inspiration from both the Manhattan melting pot experience and her deep Korean cultural roots, master storyteller, artist and filmmaker Maria Yoon (aka Maria the Korean Bride) explores Korean myths, legends and folktales at the American Museum of Natural History. Maria has performed and been a guest speaker at the Museum of Modern Art, Newark Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other venues. For more, please visit her website: www.mariayoon.com / www.mariathekoreanbride.com .