Excitement is building as we approach our annual benefit which is just around the corner
on Saturday April 29th. We saw fascinating work coming out of the studios at ArtCenter,
with media ranging from mixed-media photography, large-scale abstract painting,
interactive sound/hyperbolic crochet and ceramic to a project exploring a small subculture
group from China whose eye-catching hairstyles represent their power over the monotony
of factory work. Conceptual thinking abounds… “The fringe is a vague, yet persistent feeling
that something is meeting at a critical point in the formation or collapsing,” says student
Ming Hong. A human-sized bubble that looks like a transparent shell representing a
“protect shell” examining the feeling of being on the fringe will engulf guests who dare to
enter.

Artist duo Beck + Col who have performed at the Hammer Museum, REDCAT, and JOAN Los
Angeles will build an installation and perform in the main floor gallery. Through costume-
based performance and video they build alternate universes that are populated by
monsters, spawning a counter mythology and queering of existing norms. The aggressive
colors, ornate monsters and corresponding sets create a hyper-real setting of excess that
fosters an overwhelming weirdness. They draw inspiration from horror films, anime, video
games and professional wrestling. @beckandcol

Chef Maynard Llara will close his award-winning Filipino restaurant Kuya Lord for the evening, named one
of the best new restaurants of 2023 by Los Angeles Magazine, to come cook
for us at the benefit. Chef Llara is a local resident of La Canada. @kuyalord_la

Come help us with set up for the event on Thursday April 27 and Friday April 28 at Art
Center, 870 S. Raymond Avenue. and preview all the visuals!
-Katy Champ