Lili Bernard and Her Celia Cruz Painting
LILI BERNARD Multimedia Fine Artist
Celebrating Father God, Mother Nature and the Human Race
 
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Lili Bernard Art Studio Inaugural Opening and HABLA Benefit, September 22, 2007, Page 1 of 2

Click here to view the event flyer.

 
 
I acquired my art studio on Chung King Road in Chinatown on February 1, 2007. After seven months of settling in and renovations, I hosted my first open house on September 22, 2007.
  
The inaugural opening reception was also a fund-raising benefit for a youth arts mentoring program which I had started earlier in the year, called HABLA.
 
Guests came out in the rain for the grand opening fundraiser with flowers and well wishes for my art studio and mentoring program.
 
The event was formally presented by a friend of mine, the legendary super model Beverly Johnson.
 
At the door, with friends, actor/writer/producer Roger Guenveur Smith and journalist/dancer/yoga instructor LeTania Kirkland who have avidly supported throughout
 
Guests came to support the new mentoring program and the opening of my art studio. Friend and entertainment attorney Matthew Johnson (far left) and his family show their support.
 
Young and old and of every color, guests include Chinatown local residents, HABLA teen mentees, friends and family.
 
A trio of youth from the St. Brigid Catholic Church African Drum Group open the event with a djembe drum performance.
 
The boys usher in the spirit of the ancestors as they beat the African drums in front of paintings of my grandparents.
 
The children and HABLA teens enjoy the show, though disappointed that the Shao Lin Monks had cancelled on account of the rain.
 
My friend and HABLA social work advisor, Maria Elena Gil (in black and white) is presented and hands out pamphlets to the crowd about HABLA.
 
Maria speaks about HABLA's vision for creating a bridge between the underserved youth in our community and the so-called main stream art world in which Chinatown's art district plays a part.
 
Tony Award winner, actress/singer/author Tonya Pinkins (seated far left beside Dr. Carole Jordan Harris, MD) is introduced.
 
Tonya Pinkins graces the event with a featured solo vocal performance, accompanied on key boards by Alene Fitzpatrick.
 
Tonya Pinkins, a long-time fiend of mine, is also a very talented painter and author of the book, "Get Over Yourself."
  
My husband, Civil Rights Attorney Franklin Ferguson, and our son Joshua enjoy listening to Tonya sing.
 
The crowd awaits as Tonya begins another number.
 
Tonya Pinkins belts out notes in her Broadway jazzy style.
 
My son Isaiah gives flowers to Ms. Tonya . . .
 
. . . and to accompanist Ms. Alene.
 
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Photo Credit: Matthew Brown and Lili Bernard
  
Web design by Lili Bernard