"The Mini Show" SUCCESS!

 I still can't believe it. So much support poured into our show that evening. I mean cups of it! To be more accurate, around 300 supporters came out for "The Mini Show" to raise $15,000. It was a huge success!!! Thanks to all of the Artists (especially Eli Trinh for making it out by parting ways with his UFC tickets and earlier plans. I hear he is a big UFC fan), Volunteers, Art Collectors, Sponsors, Donors, Media:

Giant Robot
Hustler of Culture
Hi-Fructose Magazine
Erratic Phenomenon
Angry Asian Man
Daily DuJour
Sour Harvest
Art Center College of Design
Sari Makki Photography

and the entire Lai family. You can still score a few remaining paintings. Contact Ming Lai at info@minilai.com for availability requests. Then the next question people have been asking all night at the show was: When is the next show? As of now it is slated for 2012. I am excited to hear any suggestions if you would like to share them.

"The Mini Show" PREVIEW!

A few months back, my friend Ming Lai asked if friends would help to put an art show together on behalf of the Mini Lai Scholarship Fund. This fund is in memory of our dear friend Mini Lai and supports Art Center students that are in need of financial assistance. Of course everyone agreed! We set up the show yesterday in preparation of the grand opening today, Saturday, October 23. I ran home to my computer so I could share with you a few pictures of our set up. We had a blast preparing this show for you. It also reminds me of how fun, goofy and altogether lucky we are to have each other. Tonight, I realized that The Mini Lai Scholarship Fund symbolizes the everlasting power of friendship. I mean, look at these smiles.
Among those happy faces, you can preview amazing talent in these photographs. From the next generation of contemporary artists to the current king, Mark Ryden. He was kind enough to donate a print of “The Tree of Life” which was produced to commemorate his Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles exhibit. We are having a silent auction of this already sold out print this Saturday. This show will also exhibit roughly 75 paintings by Art Center Alumni. They will all go for sale and most of them priced at $300.00 with 100% going to support the financial need of students. It’s an awesome deal! The participating Artists include:
Calef Brown, Chris Chanaud, Sean Chao, Rob & Chris Clayton, Tavis Coburn, Brian Damitz, Jesse Fillingham, Shannon Freshwater, Alex Gross, Andrew Hem, Pamela Henderson, Jason Holley, Tina Hou, Julienne Hsu, Brooke Kent, Tasha Kusama, Julie Lee, Annie Liu, Ronald J. Llanos, Tami Lovett, Tara McPherson, Ming Ong, Martha Rich, Zoro Rodriguez, Mark Ryden, Jim Salvati, Corey Sandelius, Diana Shin, Daniaelle Simonsen, Aaron Smith, Ryan Jacob Smith, Hella Song, Akiko Stehrenberger, Roland Tamayo, Mark Todd, Eli Trinh, Edwin Ushiro, Michael Valle, Cathy Wang, Tianyi Wang, Patrick Williams, Jaime Zollars and more.
So come and join us in celebration of Mini’s life, friendship, art, charity, and oh,,, a Calbi food truck. Need I say more?

“The Mini Show”
Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8:00 PM-11:00 PM
Art Center College of Design / South Campus Gallery
950 South Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
minilai.com/upcoming.html
Media Contact: Ming Lai
626.372.1301
info@minilai.com

The Mini Show "ANNOUNCE"

 I had 2 phone messages when I returned home that evening. One from my friend Olivia and the other from Ming who is Mini's Brother. I knew it was something bad. I heard the tears in Olivia's voice. Ming was strong and professional, but his message projected urgency.
 They were about to tell me the news that my friend Mini had passed away. See, although she had the biggest loving heart, physically, she was born with a weak one. A new heart transplant saved her life, but brought on complications.
 The phone continued to ring from friends reaching out to each other. I remember sitting in front of my phone, observing the machine as it recorded their messages. Selfishly, for just a moment, I wanted to believe if I didn't acknowledge her death. she was just around doing her errands.
 It's 8 years later. With the support of the California Community Foundation, we have continued to keep Mini alive through her memorial scholarship fund. All of the money we raise goes towards the financial need of students at the Art Center College of Design. And, through the fabulous support of friends, artists and sponsors, we have a charity art show in her honor. The show is a one-night-don't-miss-it event. Participating artists include: Mark Ryden, The Clayton Brothers, Tara McPherson, Andrew Hem, Martha Rich, little me, and many more. You can get all your information here. All artwork will cost no more than $300. Good deal, right? Read up and I will see you there!


"The Mini Show"
One night only. Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Art Center College of Design / South Campus Gallery
950 South Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
minilai.com/upcoming.html