Artist, Internationally recognized painter, Advocate for arts education,

Philanthropist and Educator

Kang Lee Sheppard has been painting from an early age. Born in Seoul, Korea, she earned her BFA in Asian Art at Hong Ik University in Seoul, Korea. After graduation, she studied under many master artists. Kang Lee came to the United States for her graduate studies to learn western art techniques in oil, watercolor, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, silk screen and pastels. She earned her MA and taught Asian Art and History of World Culture at University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak State College. When Kang Lee retired from teaching, she founded Sheppard Arts Institute where she volunteered her time and talents for over 30 years.  She continues her passion for teaching visual arts and mentoring artists of all skill levels at her So-Ahm Studio and Gallery. 

Kang Lee is a past president of the Colorado Springs Art Guild, Arati Artists Gallery, Pikes Peak Watercolor Society (where she is a Signature Member), the Pikes Peak Pastel Society and Friendship Force International where she was  a charter member for the Colorado Springs chapter.  She is a former member of the National Watercolor Society, the Missouri Watercolor Society and the Louisiana Watercolor Society. 

Kang Lee has received many national and international citations and awards including

· Being listed in Who’s Who in the West in 1998 and Who’s Who in the World in 2000

· Receiving a Merit Award at the International Watermedia XIV at the Gallery of Contemporary Art at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs

· Juried into the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society Biannual International Watermedia Competition for many years

· Juried into the National Missouri Watercolor Society Exhibition at Winston Churchill Memorial Anson Cutts Gallery

· Juried into the International Louisiana Watercolor Society Exhibition

· Invited to show at the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs

· Her work was accepted to show at the National Watercolor Society (NWS)

In 2025, Kang Lee established the Kang lee Sheppard Visual Arts Scholarship in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.