Grace Kwok of Plainsboro is the youngest artist to receive the Community Artist award from Plainsboro Library. A 2010 High School South graduate, she studies industrial design at Pratt Institute.
In 2006 she began volunteering at the library during summer programs, arts festivals, and Chinese New Year celebrations. During one of the arts festivals she integrated the color themes of all 10 district schools into Chinese knotting projects. Her mother, Allison Kwok, is also a library volunteer.
To complement the library’s recycling campaign, Kwok organized arts projects that utilize old magazines, wrapping paper, and other recycled paper products to make giant sculptures. Whether a swan, coconut tree, or other work, the sculpture requires thousands of pieces of paper, significant volunteerism, and teamwork.
“I grew up with the Plainsboro Public Library and learned so much from their programs and activities; it only makes sense that I give back by helping to teach at these programs,” says Kwok. “Plus, it is simply a satisfying feeling to also follow in my mother’s footsteps to volunteer. I have learned so much these past years running these programs. It is great fun for me and is an even greater joy to see the students all having a blast.”
