Tomorrow is a New Day: virtual discussion with Lauren Iida

Join Shanna Shelby and Open Studio Cambodia founder Lauren Iida to discuss "Tomorrow is a New Day: The Artwork of Lauren Iida & Morn Chear"

About this event
Join Shanna Shelby, Denver Arts & Venues, and Open Studio Cambodia founder Lauren Iida for a virtual discussion about Open Studio Cambodia and the artwork featured in "Tomorrow is a New Day: The Artwork of Lauren Iida and Morn Chear" on display at McNichols Civic Center Building Jan. 20-May 1, 2022.

Lauren will touch on her artistic practice, including social practice art, mentoring emerging Cambodian artists, and her public art career.

The event will also include a short video by Morn Chear.

This event is free and open to the public, but people must register in order to get a link and instructions to join the discussion.

About the exhibition: “Tomorrow is a new day” is a popular Cambodian proverb with a message of optimistic perseverance through times of adversity. The artwork in this exhibition features deeply personal work from Open Studio Cambodia block print artist, Morn Chear, and Open Studio Cambodia founder, Lauren Iida, Japanese American papercut artist. Each has used art as a powerful tool to heal, grow and express their valuable and unique points of view.

Morn Chear uses art to create a new life for himself, stand on his own two feet, and challenge the stigma of physical disability. Iida uses art to investigate and heal from the generational trauma of her Japanese American ancestors. Both artists hope to touch the viewer and offer new perspectives on these often overlooked topics to create a sense of awareness and deeper understanding.

Open Studio Cambodia is an artist collective based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, gateway to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Comprised of six contemporary Cambodian artists and its founder, paper cutaway artist and public artist, Lauren Iida (Seattle), Open Studio Cambodia provides mentoring, marketing, art supplies, and domestic and international exhibition opportunities to its members, and collaborates with a network of artists and arts organizations to promote the rising contemporary art scene in Cambodia and beyond.

For Spanish Translation Services: BROOKE.DILLING@DENVERGOV.ORG

For Sign Language Interpreter or Cart Services: SIGNLANGUAGESERVICES@DENVERGOV.ORG

For Other Disability Accommodations: DISABILITYACCESS@DENVERGOV.ORG