{"id":76229,"date":"2025-10-12T21:39:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T04:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=76229"},"modified":"2025-10-12T21:39:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T04:39:54","slug":"let-colors-connect-love-and-hope-together-charity-art-exhibition-opens-in-orange-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=76229","title":{"rendered":"Let Colors Connect Love and Hope \u2014 \u201cTogether\u201d Charity Art Exhibition Opens in Orange County"},"content":{"rendered":"

LAPost \/ Orange County (October 10, 2025)<\/strong> \u2014 As the sun set over Southern California, a heartwarming charity art exhibition titled \u201cTogether\u201d<\/strong> opened at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center<\/strong> under CHOC Children\u2019s Hospital<\/strong>. The event was co-hosted by the Sunshine Hearts Foundation<\/strong>, RAYA Art & Education<\/strong>, and The Artist Lab (TAL)<\/strong>, with strong support from the City of Irvine<\/strong> and CHOC<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This exhibition was truly a celebration of art that brought special needs children and youth together<\/strong>. The first floor showcased nearly 50 paintings created by 29 young artists, aged 5 to 25, from RAYA Art\u2019s inclusive art classes. Using vibrant colors and heartfelt brushstrokes, these children expressed their inner vision of \u201cTogether,\u201d conveying love, courage, and the beauty of connection. Many of them are long-term patients at CHOC, deeply familiar and comfortable with the environment, making their participation even more meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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On the second floor, works by three local high school students \u2014 Skyler Y., Sherrie F., and Jane J.<\/strong> \u2014 were also on display. The young artists pledged to donate part of their artwork sales to the CHOC Foundation<\/strong>, supporting children\u2019s health and development through art.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu (Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu<\/strong> attended the opening, praising it as \u201can exhibition that delivers hope through art.\u201d CHOC Executive Director Wendy Altamirano (MPH, MBA)<\/strong> expressed gratitude, saying the children\u2019s artwork made the hospital \u201cwarmer, more colorful, and full of hope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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CHOC Executive Director Wendy Altamirano (Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

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Joanne Chen, CEO of the Sunshine Hearts Foundation and founder of RAYA Art\u00a0 (Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Joanne Chen<\/strong>, CEO of the Sunshine Hearts Foundation and founder of RAYA Art, shared her personal motivation as a mother of a child with autism:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cArt gives children the power to express themselves freely and joyfully. It helps them step out of isolation and find confidence through creativity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Coco Liu, Foundation Operations Director <\/span>(Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

Coco Liu<\/strong>, Foundation Operations Director, added that the exhibition aimed to amplify the voices of these children, fostering greater understanding and empathy within families and the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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(Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

A week before the opening, organizers held a touching \u201cMaster Charity Art Class\u201d<\/strong>, where 20 children with special needs, aged 3 to 25, joined under the guidance of Japan-based oil painter Yang Feng<\/strong>. With the help of high school volunteers and soothing live music by radio host Jack Bai<\/strong>, the session offered an immersive art experience filled with laughter, color, and warmth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Julie<\/strong>, Marketing Director at TAL, concluded beautifully:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMore than an exhibition, \u2018Together\u2019 is a heartfelt dialogue. Every painting tells a story, and every color carries hope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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(Photo by: Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/p><\/div>\n

In that loving evening at CHOC, art became the softest and most powerful language<\/strong>, reminding everyone that \u2014 in love, we are truly together<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\uff08By\uff1a Richard Ren\/LAPost)<\/span><\/p>\n

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