I have been really busy with organizing RISE JAPAN events this past several weeks, but finally gained a time to update here.  I am one of the organizers of the series of Japan earthquake & tsunami relief fundraiser art exhibitions & performances called RISE JAPAN.  We have done two art exhibitions at Gallery Heist, Kokoro Studio and ARC Studios & Gallery on April 2nd and 7th, and successfully raised $24,100!!!! We raised $15123 from Vol.1, and $9009 from Vol.2!!  It has been really emotional days, don’t know how many times I had tears in my eyes – I am so grateful for amazing support from all the visitors, buyers, participant artists, vendors, local businesses and media.  We made a final announcement yesterday, visited Give2Asia office today (I tried to express everything I could say in those announcements!).  THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.  I am one of the starving artists among many others, but as an artist I strongly believe in the power of art.  There are so much I can do, so much WE can do. We are not living alone, we all support each other.  I am so glad that I was able to put something amazing like RISE JAPAN events together, and prove this belief by making it happen.

I know that Japan needs long-term financial and psychological support since reconstruction takes years and years.  I’m making more research and figuring out the way to do it as I work on my own projects.  We, RISE JAPAN, are going to have a booth at Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. Please follow my twitter @aoi_gm to find out where we will be located exactly.  Also, please visit our website http://www.risejapan.us for more info.  Feel free to let us know if you could be part of us and help us.

I made limited “RISE JAPAN” giclee prints off of the mural piece I did at Gallery Heist for RISE JAPAN Vol.1. (The photo is below – I wrote “RISE JAPAN” on the wall of both Gallery Heist and Kokoro Studio) Numbered and signed. Besides producing events, this is what I can offer to help my home country Japan!

From the night of RISE JAPAN Vol.1 at Gallery Heist & Kokoro Studio *Above is at Gallery Heist

My mural on the wall + Jane Kim, the supervisor of Tenderloin on the mic & Tiger Honey Pot!

Framed “RISE JAPAN” at RISE JAPAN Vol.2 @ARC Studios & Gallery

This framed piece was sold at silent auction for $400 at “buy now” price (highest bid was $600!) on the night of the event, and all donated to Give2Asia.  Thank you so much!!

There are a few more left, purchase from here before it’s gone! :

All proceeds will be donated to Give2Asia: Artists Help Japan Fund.

We were also on KRON4 News!! Thank you KRON4 for helping us spreading the word, especially Brian Greif for your tremendous support.

Photo: Randy Dodson / Casey Holtz of SF Station / Ben Needham of ARC Studios & Gallery