Her Story
About Emily
Emily Cheng is a painter and Chair of the Board for the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rural reconstruction and regenerative farming across multiple countries. She has painted since childhood and joined the IIRR board in 2018, where she oversees operations from her studio in Catskill, New York. Cheng earned a BFA in painting from Rhode Island School of Design in 1975, having also studied at the New York Studio School. She previously taught Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art history at the School of Visual Arts for approximately 30 years. Her professional affiliations have included membership in the College Art Association and service on the advisory board of the Asian Art Institute. Cheng approaches her art practice as a research project, exploring themes such as world religions and global human connections through large-scale paintings and drawings.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success as an artist comes from my curiosity as a person, to visualize and execute- images and ideas not seen before. My success as a Chairperson comes from my ability to listen, lead and inspire others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The people who influenced me the most were the people who led by example. They opened their doors to me, and I got to see their studios and what was important to them.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, tenacity.
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