For many, preparing a portfolio seems as simple as “drawing well.” But the real application journey is far more complex. For April, a GAAC student, the greatest achievement of her application year wasn’t just receiving admission letters and scholarships from dream schools—it was learning to tell her story and ideas clearly through art.
In the eyes of many parents, “art” once carried the label of being “not serious” — a path for those whose grades weren’t strong enough. Even today, sayings like “only kids with poor academic results study art” are still heard. But times have changed. On the highly competitive road to elite university admissions, art has become a true differentiator.
“I feel so anxious.”
This is one of the phrases we hear most often when guiding our students. Whether it’s the academic pressure of senior year or the looming college application season, both students and parents often feel restless and uneasy.
Another wave of admission news has arrived! 🎉
The 2025 admission season is in full swing, and GAAC is once again celebrating some thrilling news—so far, we’ve received over 60 offers from top universities worldwide, with total scholarships surpassing 1 million CAD!
Our outstanding student Macey has been successfully admitted to New York University (NYU) through Early Decision, securing her dream school in the very first round! Even more impressively, the portfolio she created at Green Apple also earned her offers from 10 other prestigious institutions, including top art schools like Parsons and Pratt.
Chronoception Exhibition took place at Vancouver Convention Centre-East as a part of the 2025 Art Vancouver Exhibition. This is a collaborative art exhibition done by 8 teenagers, finding the definition of time through a various way of innovative experiments, offering a unique perspective.
When it comes to top U.S. architecture programs, many students and parents immediately think of the Ivy League—Cornell University. However, through years of experience guiding students in art and design applications, Green Apple Art Center has repeatedly seen Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) rise as the real pioneer for the future of architecture and interdisciplinary design.
Introduction:
In many families’ eyes, applying to Ivy League schools seems inseparable from high SAT scores, lengthy essays, and countless competition credentials. However, art applications are another underrated pathway. Unlike purely score-based evaluations, art schools and programs focus more on: Expression, Critical Thinking, Execution. This means art is not about “escaping the grind,” but rather a graceful alternative route to success.
Green Apple Art Center proudly celebrates another milestone at the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, bringing home 2 Golds and 2 Silvers National Medals across categories including painting, mixed media, and jewelry design. These awards reflect our students’ dedication, creativity, and artistic growth—recognition not by chance, but by consistent effort and excellence.
GAAC—where world-class art journeys begin.
We’re thrilled to announce that Henry Kim, a talented student from GAAC, has not only been selected as one of four semifinalists from Canada in the 2025 Science Without Borders® Challenge—but has also advanced to the final round, placing him among the top 10 finalists globally in the 11–14 age category!
As one of Vancouver’s most prestigious century-old high schools, Lord Byng Secondary School has always stood out in the arts, excelling in areas like visual arts, media arts, band, and drama. In this year’s highly competitive first-round admissions, two of GAAC’s Grade 7 students successfully earned spots in the coveted Byng Arts program! Behind these offers are GAAC’s years of educational experience, professional faculty, and strategic curriculum planning.
This week at GAAC, our admissions season is in full swing—we’ve already received nearly ten Early Decision offers, along with generous scholarships from top universities! Among the physical offer letters we've received, one stood out—a handwritten note from the admissions officer at Columbia University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools. The heartfelt admiration and appreciation expressed in the message made all of us at GAAC, especially our dedicated professional mentors, incredibly proud.
We’re thrilled to share that GAAC has once again swept awards at the prestigious 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Regional). This year, on the first day of Lunar New Year, the official SAWA results were released. 18 GAAC students earned awards out of hundreds of thousands of entries. A total of 45 winning pieces from GAAC.
Exciting news to kick off 2025! Our GAAC student, Jungyoon, has been successfully admitted to Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture through early decision! Over the past three years, Jungyoon explored various artistic fields with the guidance of our instructors, determined the direction and themes of her portfolio, and was supported every step of the way through creation and application. Her early admission success fills every GAAC mentor with pride!
From a young age, Kassie displayed an extraordinary gift for the arts. Her world has always been filled not only with colors and lines, but also with reflections on literature, philosophy, and nature. For this year’s New York Fashion Week, she presented her collection Ephemeral, inspired by the forms and textures of mushrooms and other organic life—offering a visual narrative on the cycle of life.
Time-traveling trends are all the rage—and GAAC has brought one to life! This year at New York Fashion Week, GAAC student Peter stunned audiences with his visionary collection that seamlessly blends Eastern and Western cultures, bringing different historical eras into bold collision. As Peter’s designs graced the NYFW runway, it felt like a portal through time had opened. The opulent embroidery of European courts met the fluid silhouettes of Eastern dynasties; gold brocade clashed boldly with Gothic motifs—bridging vast gaps of time and culture in a moment of perfect harmony. His work is not just fashion; it’s a reinvention of history and a breathtaking visual dialogue between civilizations.
Let’s be honest: poorly styled tweed looks can be quite the eyesore. So why not go with something truly magical—like fairycore fashion?
This year at New York Fashion Week, GAAC student designer Angela brought her long-held dream designs to life on the global runway. Her creations are dreamy and ethereal, yet grounded with power and intention. Angela masterfully uses organza to craft airy silhouettes that feel like poems drifting through the clouds. Each piece evokes a soft fantasy, but beneath the beauty lies a core of elegance, independence, and strength. In her hands, softness is no longer fragile—it becomes a confident expression of self.
On the dazzling runway of New York Fashion Week, designer Cece’s elegant collection made its debut. But Cece is not just a fashion designer—she’s also a model, a high school student, a black belt in Taekwondo, and a Canadian beauty queen. Her vibrant and multifaceted life has become a rich source of inspiration for her designs. This time, she tells her story through the soft, graceful language of silk.
For the second year in a row, Mike returned to the dazzling stage of New York Fashion Week with his unique Wabi-Sabi–inspired menswear collection. On one of the most watched runways in the world, he used a distinct aesthetic language to express time, texture, and the beauty of imperfection. Every piece exudes the quiet elegance of age and craftsmanship.
On the auspicious date of the Thanksgiving Long weekend, October 13, 2024, the cross-disciplinary art exhibition "Into Their World," organized by students from Green Apple Art Center with Art Hope Foundation, and the play The Late Christopher Bean, presented by the Vancouver Mandarin Drama Society, successfully concluded at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. The event was met with enthusiastic responses from the audience and received unanimous praise.
Finally, the moment has arrived! Our students have stepped onto the dazzling stage of New York Fashion Week, showcasing their unique creativity and dreams on one of the most prestigious fashion platforms in the world. From the spark of an idea to the moment a finished garment hits the runway, their talent and hard work have found the spotlight they deserve. This is more than just a show — it’s a powerful affirmation of personal growth and bold creativity. Let’s witness how they shine in the world’s fashion capital!
Not every Vancouver art studio can take part in New York Fashion Week — but GAAC can! You've definitely heard of NYFW — one of the “Big Four” fashion weeks globally, it's always been a hub for trends and the spotlight for rising fashion stars. In this issue, we’ll show you how Jenny, a popular high school student, lit up the runway at NYFW — even catching the attention of top influencers who asked if her runway pieces were for sale!
Who hasn’t heard of New York Fashion Week? As one of the Big Four fashion weeks globally, NYFW is the ultimate stage for innovation, the trendsetter of the industry, and a dream launchpad for emerging designers. It's also a goldmine of opportunity. This year, GAAC once again led a group of seven distinctive and talented high school designers to New York for their very own exclusive show!
Leki, a dedicated student at Green Apple Art Center for over two years and one of our outstanding graduates this year, has been accepted by all four of the fine art schools she applied to!
As September marks the start of a new school year, it also signals the beginning of another university application season. Around this time, top universities worldwide ramp up their efforts to attract exceptional talent by hosting various admissions webinars. With the convenience of advancing online technology, international students can now participate in these events from the comfort of their homes—no travel required. It’s a win-win opportunity to explore schools and get firsthand information.
This year, GAAC students have collectively received nearly 70 admission offers, with a total of CAD $2.4 million in scholarships awarded. Among them, Bella stood out with multiple offers from prestigious art and design schools across the U.S. and Canada—including a generous scholarship from Parsons School of Design—thanks to our expert portfolio guidance and mentorship.
Every summer, GAAC prepares various indoor and outdoor art activities for kids, teenagers and adults, allowing them to participate in art projects on various platforms.
On the auspicious date of June 11, 2024, there is great news to share. Vancouver Modern Drama Society (VMDS), in collaboration with GAAC Green Apple Art Center, brings you an exciting announcement. Hosted by VMDS and co-hosted by Green Apple Art Center, with sponsorship from RE/MAX Financial Asset Management Company, the "Wet Paint" press conference was successfully held.
On June 12, a typical summer day, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards announced the 2024 medalists on their official website. Congratulations to the five GAAC students who stood out this year, winning medals among over 340,000 submissions and 100,000 participants. A total of six works won awards, including four gold medals, two silver medals, and one American Vision Award. Only 8% of entries worldwide made it to the finals, making the competition incredibly fierce!
EMBODYING？ Exhibition took place at Vancouver Convention Centre-East as a part of the 2024 Art Vancouver Exhibition. This is a collaborative interactive art exhibition done by 12 students, finding the definition of The Body through a various way of innovative experiments, offering a unique perspective.