Mitzi Lai is a celebrated Cleveland-based artist known for her expressive, multicultural works that blend Eastern and Western techniques. Originally from Taiwan, Mitzi has spent decades cultivating her artistry and enriching the Cleveland art community through teaching, exhibitions, and public engagement. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art from Case Western Reserve University in collaboration with the Cleveland Institute of Art, and has taught painting and drawing at various institutions including Cuyahoga Community College and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her deep roots in both traditional Chinese brush painting and Western realism give her work a unique stylistic fusion that resonates across cultures.
Mitzi has been an active and inspiring figure in the Cleveland art scene for over 30 years. Her work often reflects her multicultural identity and draws inspiration from nature, music, and her travels. She has said that painting is a spiritual journey for her—an act of storytelling through color, line, and composition. Her subjects range from serene landscapes and florals to energetic abstracts, each capturing a distinct emotional or cultural narrative. Whether she's using watercolor (as she used in her artwork in our Gallery), oil, acrylic, or ink, her ability to move fluidly between formats highlights both her technical mastery and creative versatility.
Throughout her career, Mitzi has received numerous accolades, including awards from the Ohio Watercolor Society and juried exhibitions across the Midwest. Her work has been featured in solo and group shows at venues such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Beck Center for the Arts, and various galleries throughout Ohio and beyond. Notable pieces include “Ethereal Light,” a watercolor landscape praised for its meditative quality, and “Fusion,” an abstract work that celebrates cultural synthesis. Her paintings are held in private and public collections both nationally and internationally.
To explore more of her work or connect with her, you can visit her official website at www.mitzilai.com, follow her on Instagram @mitzilai.art, and like her Facebook page @MitziLaiArt. Whether you’re a longtime admirer or a new fan, Mitzi’s art offers a vibrant, cross-cultural dialogue that continues to inspire and uplift.
