Yu Cheng (b. Harbin, China and now based in Boston) holds a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (2021) and an MFA in Studio Art (2024) from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts(SMFA) at Tufts University. She utilizes oil, acrylic, and graphite as her mediums to explore the fleeting moments in everyday life, attempting to record the trace of time by capturing the beauty of the present moment. She believes that an artist is someone who creates challenges and actively seeks solutions. This ongoing cycle of posing questions and seeking answers has become a fundamental part of her career aspirations. 

EDUCATION

2024 SMFA at Tufts University, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art

2021 SMFA at Tufts University, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art

EXHIBITIONS * denotes solo

2025* In Stillness, Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, MA

2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Art Exhibition, Governor’s Office, MA

2025 Body Politics, Gallery 263, MA

2025* On Stage, Belmont Media Center Gallery, MA

2025* Take a Seat, Bromfield Gallery, MA

2024 SMFA Tufts Fundraising Exhibition, MA

2024 Small Works Exhibition, The New Art Corridor, MA

2024 Small But Not Too Small, Bromfield Gallery, MA

2024 The Fay Chandler Emerging Art Exhibition, Boston City Hall Gallery, MA

2024 Artsin Square Virtual Exhibition, Toronto, Canada

2024 GETAWAY, Art Flunt Online Exhibition, MA

2024 Speak Up III Exhibition, Space 37, MA

2024* In Light and Shadow, Dana Hall Gallery, MA

2024 New Talent, Alpha Gallery, Boston, MA

2024 Pulling Teeth and Jumping Rope, Aidekman Arts Center Tisch Gallery, MA

2024 New Art Gala, The New Art Center, MA

2024 Where Do We Come from and Where Do We Go? Goethe-Institut Boston, MA

2024 Lunar Day, Two-person Exhibition, Mission Hill gallery, MA

2024 Winter Showcase Exhibit, Till Wave Gallery, MA

2023 KidStage, Boston Children’s Museum, MA

2023 The Fay Chandler Emerging Art Exhibition, Boston City Hall Gallery, MA

2023 Emerge Contemporary Art 15th Anniversary Exhibition, ICA, MA

2022 Show Us Your Art Exhibit, Till Wave Gallery, MA

2022 Liminality, Visual Art Exhibition of Asian Artists in America

2022 Between You and I, Piano Craft Gallery, Boston, MA

2022 Visions and Revisions, Nearby Gallery, Newton, MA

RESIDENCY&AWARDS

2025 Governor’s Citation for Artistic Contribution, presented by Governor Maura Healey, MA

2025 Creative Individuals Grant, Massachusetts Cultural Council, MA

2024 The Scattergood-Moore Artist-in-Residence Program, Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA

2024 The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant

2023 Boston Children’s Museum Art Competition Winner

2023 Graduate Student Research Competition, SMFA

2023 Summer Domestic Travel Grant, SMFA

2023 Dana Pond Competition, SMFA

2023 Dean’s Research Award, SMFA

PRESS

2025 Boston Art Review- Multiplicity as Resistance: Body Politics at Gallery 263

2025 Governor Healey’s Office- Official Press Release: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Exhibition, featured artist (one of four selected artists)

2025 Belmont Media Center-Video interview: The Art of Yu Cheng, solo exhibition at BMC Gallery

2024 Dana Hall School- Capturing the Everyday, featured artist interview as part of Scattergood-Moore Artist-in-Residence Program

2024 Dana Hall School- The Gallery is Golden, featured as the first artist for Dana Hall Gallery’s 50th Anniversary Season

2024 Hallmanac (Dana Hall School Online Newspaper) – Dana Hall Welcomes Artist Yu Cheng as the 2024 Artist-in-Residence, featured artist interview

2024 Dana Hall School Annual Magazine (Print)- Artist-in-Residence Collaborates and Creates While on Campus, featured artist interview in annual publication

2024 Aedra Fine Arts- Best in Show Artist, Aedra Fine Arts Online Exhibition Published artist review in Aedra Fine Arts Catalogue: Volume 5 (digital & hardcover edition)

2024 Penn Journal of Arts & Sciences, University of Pennsylvania- featured Artist Profile

2024 Hyperallergic- SMFA at Tufts University Presents Pulling Teeth and Jumping Rope, featured artwork image credited to Yu Cheng

2023 Boston Children’s Museum- Official News Release: Visual Artists for Poster Design Commission, featured artist among four selected artists

2023 PRWeb/PR Newswire- KidStage Theater Poster Displays to be Unveiled June 30th at the Museum, featured artist among four selected artists

2023 CBS News Boston- Art Contest Winners Showcase Posters Outside Boston Children's Museum Theater- Morning news segment and online feature; short interview with Yu Cheng