Mai La Thai, Artist CV

EDUCATION
Academy of Art University, BFA, San Francisco, CA
Case Western Reserve University, Pre-College Scholar, OH
Cleveland Institute of Art, Summer Scholar, OH
Cleveland School of the Arts, Valedictorian, OH 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2019 The River Project, NYC
2019 Yellowstone Art Museum, Montana

2019 Museum of Arts, History & Science, IN

2019 BJ Spoke, National Juried Show, Juror Hillary Reder, MoMA, NY

2019 Site: Brooklyn, National Juried Show, Juror Elisabeth Biondi, NY   

2019 PDN International Photo Annual, Winners Gallery, NY
2019 ECAD, Apollo 50th Anniversary, NY
2018 NYFW, Saks 5th Avenue, NY
2017 Good Luck America, Brooklyn, NY
2016 Berlin Foto Biennial, Germany
2016 ArtBridge, A+E Studios, NY
2016 Winter Fete, Georges Berges Gallery, NY
2015 Small is Beautiful, Flowers Gallery, NY
2015 ArtBridge, Jack Studios, NY
2014 Small is Beautiful, Flowers Gallery, NY
2008 Hearts & Minds, Art Directors Club, NY
1996 Academy of Art Spring Show, SF, CA
1994 Montgomery County Fair, Gaithersburg, MD
1993 Cleveland Playhouse Theater, OH
1993 The Scholastic Art Show, Cleveland Institute of Art, OH

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 Ongoing Exhibitions at the New York Public Library
2024 The Light Hereafter, Hudson Park Library, NY
2024 The Light Thereafter, 53rd Street Library, NY

2022  Here & There, October–Dec. 2023, NYPL
2017 The Explorers Club, New York, NY
2017 Steven Amedee Gallery, NY
2010 Zora Space, Brooklyn, NY
1993 Billboards, Cleveland and Metro North, OH
1993 Cleveland City Hall, Cleveland, OH

FILM FESTIVALS AND SCREENINGS
2011 “Boat No. _” NYC Int. Film Festival, Official Selection, NY
2010 “Boat No. _” Solo Screening, InterContinental Hotel, NY
2010 “Boat No. _” Solo Screening, Zora Space, Brooklyn, NY
2006 “Goal”, Nike World Cup Soccer Premiere, Shea Stadium, NY

HONORS / AWARDS

2019 PDN Photo Annual, 1st Place, Photography Website & Promo Piece
2018 Forbes’ Editor’s Pick, Beale Air Force Base Story Photographer

2018 PDN Online, Featured Photographer
2016 Berlin Foto-Biennial, Finalist
2015 The Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers, Finalist

2015 The Pollux Awards, Finalist in 4 Categories
2014 Executive Membership, the Int. Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences
2013 Corbis (Getty Images) Film Prize, “A Beautiful Death”
2013 The Webby Awards, Short Film “Boat No. _ _ - _ _ _ _”
2010 The Webby Awards, Short Film, “A Toast to Memo”
2008 Penguin Books, International Cover Finalist
2007 The Webby Awards, Short Film, “Goal”
2007 The Telly Awards, Short Film, “Goal”
2006 Nike, Film Grant
2004 The One Show Pencil
2001 The Clio Awards
2000 The International Andy Awards
1998 Academy of Art University Scholarship Grant
1998,1999 San Francisco Ad Club Scholarships
1994 Montgomery County Fair, First Place Painting
1994 North Coast Cable Public Art, Grand Prize
1993 African American Museum of Art, 2nd Place
1992 Sue Wall Award for Painting
1992 The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Gold Key Finalist
1992 American Automobile Association, Prize
1992 Cleveland Institute of Art, Summer Scholarships, Drawing & Photo.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
50th Anniversary Issue, Wooden Boat Magazine, 2024

PDN Photo Annual, 2019
Elizabeth Biondi, Musee Magazine, Interview with Elizabeth Biondi: Series & Repetition, May, 2019
Mai La Thai, The Ride of My Life with Mario Andretti, PDN Online, Aug. 2018

Emotions & Commotions-Across Cultures, Text by Hirsch-Hardy, Kerher Verlag, Sep. 2016
Jim Clash, From Refugee Boat to New York Artist, Mai La Thai's American Dream, Forbes, Feb. 2016
Hearts & Minds • The Art Issue, Show of Talent, Creativity Magazine, Sep. 2008
New Directors Showcase, Shots, Annual, 2007

PUBLIC ART
2010–2011 In Plain Sight, ArtBridge, New York, NY
1993 Honoring Black History, Cleveland and Metro North Area, Ohio
1993 Cleveland Museum of Art, Contributing Artist, Cleveland, Ohio

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Webby, International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences
American Institute of Graphic Arts, Online Gallery
Cleveland Metro-Health Hospital, Cleveland, OH

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
New York
San Francisco
Washington, DC

Georgia
Maine
Amsterdam
Kenya

1. Do you sell your work directly?
Yes. Selected works are available for direct sale. If you're interested in a specific piece or commission, please reach out via the contact form.

2. Can I commission you for a project?
Yes. I take on select commissions that align with my practice whether it’s brand storytelling, editorial imagery, or interior installation work. Feel free to reach out with a brief overview and timeline.

3. Where can I see your work in person?
Current exhibitions are listed above. I’m also happy to arrange private viewings when possible.

4. Do you offer licensing for editorial or commercial use?
Yes. I license select works and also create original content for clients and collectors. Licensing terms vary depending on usage (editorial, commercial, nonprofit, etc.).
Please get in touch with details for a quote.

5. Do you work with institutions or brands?
Yes. I’ve collaborated with startups, global brands, designers, editors, nonprofits, and cultural institutions. If you have a project in mind, I’d love to hear more.

6. Can I feature your work in a publication, article, or project?
I’m open to press inquiries and editorial features. Please email your request, including the platform, context, and any deadlines.

7. Are your works available as prints?
Yes. Limited edition prints are available for select works. Please inquire for details on sizes, pricing, and availability.

8. Do you teach or offer workshops?
I occasionally offer artist talks and creative workshops. To stay informed about upcoming opportunities, you can join my mailing list or follow me on X/Twitter: @MaryAppleIndia

9. Are you open to speaking engagements or panels?
Yes. I welcome opportunities to speak on art, visual storytelling, creative practice, and interdisciplinary work. I've done artist talks and presentations. Please contact me with booking details or event info.

10. How can I stay updated on your work?
You can join my mailing list here or follow me on X/Twitter: @MaryAppleIndia. I occasionally share updates about exhibitions, new projects, and publications.

11. What other medium do you work in?
Pencil, Ink, Paper, Paint, Film, Digital, Video