I'm feeling excited and hopeful and scared about this art show

#030: I've been writing about wanting to make an art show for months and it's finally more real

I simply needed some time during a long weekend in Rhode Island with quiet views, salt water, good company, and lobster to get some of the creative juices flowing again. I took some videos on my iPhone of my mom’s art. As we sat outside, she asked me why I wanted to do an art show this year so badly. “Can’t we just do it next year?” she asked.

My dad started another round of chemo last week after 6 months of no treatments. His doctor wants him to prioritize quality of life, which I’m eternally grateful for, and it turns out that prolonged chemo actually reduces its efficacy.

I really want my mom, my sister, and I to have something to look forward to. Something that may even act as a distraction. Wouldn’t my dad want us to live our lives fully anyway? And wouldn’t it be great if my dad is still here to witness it all? I’m fully aware we’re not close to being 100% ready to put on an exhibit, but we’re never going to do the thing if we wait until we feel we are, so we might as well dive in, right? I didn’t tell my mom any of this, but I convinced her that the temperature in October is great and that this particular looming deadline could do us some good.

A friend recommended that I look at venues on Peerspace and I found an amazing studio space that looks like a giant living room with south-facing windows. Once I found that and had a chance to look at it, I knew that it was the final switch in a small Rube Goldberg machine that would fling a ball into the air propelling us closer to actualizing our own art show.

Without further ado, the joint art show with my mom and sister will be:

Mountain Books Art Show

Saturday, October 12, 2024 1pm-4pm

Brooklyn, NYC

»RSVP HERE«

The first 50 people to RSVP will be entered into a raffle to win gift cards to local Asian American establishments! We’ll be able to understand catering needs with an accurate headcount. Selfishly, it’ll help me pitch the event to tangential organizations with bigger audiences. I know October feels so far away, but I also know people have weddings and travel plans. If you think you might be able to join, can you please RSVP now? Thank you, thank you, thank you. It would mean so much to me if you can join and spread the word. I’m okay if my newsletter only reaches 5 people, but an art exhibit does rely on people showing up 🤣

This art exhibit will feature 3 distinct styles from a Baby Boomer mother and her Millennial and Gen Z daughters. Inspired by their 1st gen and 2nd gen immigrant Japanese-American experiences, they’ll be showcasing art pieces that include oil paintings, collages, and graphite illustrations.

When you’re not given a seat at the table, you just have to come together to build your own table, y’know? See our artist bios here.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• Light refreshments

• An afternoon of art and community

• Ability to contribute to a collective art piece

• The first 50 people to RSVP will be entered into a raffle to win gift cards to local Asian American establishments

OTHER LOGISTICS

• Join anytime between 1-4pm

• The spacious, bright venue in Brooklyn, NYC is a 3 min walk from the Jefferson L stop. Please RSVP to see the exact location.

• The suggested donation is $7. Venmo @yamakimoto, Paypal @yamakimoto, or pay at the door. 20% of proceeds will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) and the Asian Women Giving Circle (asianwomengivingcircle.org).

I’m really excited for this. This feeling is bound to dissipate and fluctuate, but I’m really excited for now and I want to hold onto that.

In particular, the last part of Caroline’s note is what I’m reciting and repeating over and over.

2) If you’re taking a chance. If you’re putting yourself out there. If you’re trying something new. If you’re trying, period. That is brave and commendable. No matter how it “goes.” No matter what comes of it. I am proud of you and I hope you are, too.

👋🏻 Thank you for reading. Be kind to yourself, always.

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• A quote: “The truth is, if we don’t write our own stories, there is someone else wanting to do it for us. And those people, waiting with their pens, often don’t look like we do and don’t have our best interests in mind...No matter how obsessed you’ve been with your own vanishing, there will always be someone who still wants you whole.” —Hanif Abdurraqib