It’s a different type of canvas for Queens-based painter and illustrator Alice Meichi Li: the red envelopes used in Asian cultures for gift giving during big celebrations, like the Lunar New Year.

“This is a way to customize our own and kind of put our own spin on it,” said Li.

Li is one of more than 100 artists that are part of this year’s Red Envelope Show. In its eighth year, the show is is curated by Albert Chau, known as Grumpy Bert, and hosted by MyPlasticHeart, a designer toy and collectibles store in Greenpoint, owned by Bikkei Law and Vincent Yu.

What You Need To Know

  • The Red Envelope Show is back for its eighth Year at MyPlasticHeart in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

  • Artists create on red envelopes, traditionally used for gift giving by Asian cultures for Lunar New Year

  • There are more than 100 artists participating

  • The Year of the Rabbit began on Jan. 22 and festivities marking Lunar New Year last for around two weeks

“Any chance we get to celebrate our culture is great,” said Yu.

Many of the works feature a Rabbit since the Year of the Rabbit began on Jan. 22. There are different takes on rabbits from the artists, including Authan Chen, who created a work called Knight of the White Prairie.

“I’m trying to aim for an Alice in Wonderland Vibe here, so you can see the white rabbits running around,” said Chen.

The show is fun and colorful and has become a Lunar New Year tradition. Li says it brings back fond memories of receiving the envelopes from relatives along with a New Year’s greeting.

“Kids would have a rhyme basically saying ‘Happy New Year, now give me my red envelope,’” remembered Li.

The show runs through February 26th.

Find out more at: https://www.myplasticheart.com/