Art, Community, and a Yellow Moth: Reflections from a Booth at the St. James Run Event

Art, Community, and a Yellow Moth: Reflections from a Booth at the St. James Run Event

Today is the St. James 5 Mile Challenge. This event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a warm and solidarity event where the community comes together to support families and help sick children.

The goal is to raise funds and awareness for the Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The event promotes healthy connections and engagement in the local community through running and vendor participation.
I was invited to participate in this year’s St. James 5 Mile Challenge & 5K Fun Run/Walk with an art booth through the kind recommendation of a local gallery director. I’m joining this event not simply as an exhibitor, but with a heartfelt desire to contribute to building a healthier and more beautiful community through the power of art.
​
I believe that art is not only for appreciation—it has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people. Through this event, I hope to share that spirit with as many people as possible, offering a space where visitors can experience the joy and wonder of creativity in their everyday lives.

Especially in an event filled with families and children, I aim to present artworks that are bright, hopeful, and accessible to all ages, sparking imagination and warmth. My booth is more than a display—it is an open invitation to engage in meaningful conversations, share smiles, and celebrate the power of community through art.

I was assigned to the 14th spot. Vendors had to arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 for the event. It was hard to get up early in the morning and load up the tents and paintings, but I felt it was a must. When I arrived, all I could see was a green lawn.

I am participating in this event under the name of my company, Girin Instrument, which is dedicated to the intersection of art and business. Girin Instrument is more than just a brand—it is a creative platform where artistic expression meets meaningful engagement with the world around us. Through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and collaborative projects, the company strives to make art a living, breathing part of everyday life.

At Girin Instrument, we believe that art is not separate from business, but a vital force that can inspire innovation, strengthen communities, and bring people together. Whether through visual storytelling, design, or community-based events like this one, we aim to contribute to a more thoughtful, imaginative, and compassionate society.
​
Participating in this event is a natural extension of our mission. It gives us the opportunity to be present in the community, not only as creators but also as partners in building a healthier and more connected environment. We hope that our presence at the St. James 5 Mile Challenge & 5K Fun Run/Walk will introduce more people to the beauty and relevance of art, and encourage others to imagine how creativity can be a source of both personal and collective transformation.

I have extensive experience participating in various booth exhibitions, both locally and internationally. One of the most formative of these experiences was representing my own research studio at the Tokyo Bio Expo in Japan. As a representative from Korea, I took part in this major international event for five days and four nights, engaging with professionals from diverse fields, presenting our work, and exploring opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

That experience was a turning point—it deepened my understanding of how business, innovation, and cultural exchange intersect on a global scale. I gained valuable insight into how to effectively communicate ideas in a professional setting, build meaningful networks, and represent a creative brand with clarity and purpose.

Because of this background, I feel comfortable and confident when participating in booth events. Whether it's an art fair, a local community fundraiser, or an international expo, I approach each opportunity with a sense of purpose and preparedness. Setting up and operating a booth feels natural to me—it’s a space where I can interact with people directly, share my vision, and engage in conversations that often lead to new inspiration or unexpected connections.
​
This is why being part of the St. James event is not only familiar but also meaningful. It allows me to draw on my prior experiences while contributing to a cause that aligns with my values: fostering community through creativity, and supporting the well-being of children and families.

Actually, this is the first local event. Last year, it was very small, and this year, there were more vendors (28 booths). Maybe that's why there weren't many visitors like an outdoor art show, but there were only runners, their acquaintances, friends, and families. So when I saw this situation, I thought that I wouldn't be able to sell paintings. Drinks, bagels, and massage booths seemed more suitable for a running event.

​I was also hesitant to participate in an art booth at first. I wanted to participate in a community event, but I wondered if this would be a good fit. So I sent an email, and the person in charge welcomed the idea of ​​having an art booth. I didn't want to disappoint them, so I decided to participate. The visitors who came to run looked at the booth with the unique paintings as if it was new.

However, I’ve come to believe that at every outdoor show, a quiet sign of good fortune always finds its way to me. During one such moment, as I was quietly tending to my small art booth, a delicate yellow moth—so tiny, beautiful, and gentle—fluttered over and rested on one of my paintings. It stayed there for quite a while, as if soaking in the colors, before gracefully flying away.
​
For me, this was more than a coincidence—it felt like a quiet blessing, a symbolic reminder that even in the simplest encounters, there is beauty, connection, and meaning. Moments like this reassure me that I am where I’m supposed to be, doing what I love, and sharing it with the world in the most humble and honest way possible.

And during the run event, I was fortunate enough to sell some of my artwork. But more than the sales themselves, what truly moved me was the realization that there are still people with beautiful hearts who recognize and appreciate the value of art—even in the midst of a lively community gathering focused on health and movement.
This simple truth—that art still speaks to people, quietly and powerfully—taught me so much today. It reminded me that creativity doesn’t need a grand stage to be meaningful. Even in the most casual settings, art can touch lives, spark conversations, and bring people closer together. That, to me, is the true reward of being here.

​Another highlight of this booth experience was the opportunity to connect and share conversations with fellow vendors. It was genuinely uplifting to be surrounded by people who were not only full of life and energy, but also generous, kind-hearted, and community-minded.

Some offered helpful advice, others cheered me on with words of encouragement. When a gust of wind blew one of my paintings down, a nearby vendor rushed over to help me rehang it. We exchanged cookies, shared hand warmers, and smiled through the chilly breeze.
​
These small but heartfelt gestures are, to me, the true essence of what a booth event can offer—not just a space to present one’s work, but a space where human warmth, mutual support, and spontaneous connection thrive. That’s the magic I’ve found here, and it’s a kind of beauty that stays with you long after the event is over.

​If, someday, people come to evaluate my art, I hope they don’t just see my paintings. I hope they understand how much I loved painting—how deeply I loved it. And how that love wasn’t something I hoarded, but something I carried gently into the world. Into schools. Into local events. Into the hearts of those around me. Because the joy and beauty of making art was never mine to keep alone.