In Remembrance of PSSCA Board Member Maihwa (Frances) Li

In 2021 PSSCA lost a wonderful and dedicated member of our board. Maihwa (Frances) Li, was recognized as PSSCA’s resident artist who contributed to the success of many of our cultural activities and particularly to our Annual Evening Under the Stars Gala. Maihwa honored PSSCA’s 30th Anniversary by bringing her beautiful landscape paintings to Suzhou with our Mayoral Delegation in 2018. The exhibit was on display in Suzhou’s municipal library, showing the wonders of the amazing scenery in Oregon. In her remembrance, Mr. Wei Shujie from the Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office shared with us that, “the bright colors in her painting were a reflection of her pleasant personality.”

Maihwa was born in Shanghai, China, and relocated to Taiwan when she was two. She studied traditional watercolor with masters in bamboo, plum blossoms, and landscape. Flower painting became her specialty. Maihwa also studied Chinese calligraphy and Ikebana flower arranging. Seeking new adventures, Maihwa came to the US in the late 1960s. She landed in Ohio, where she stayed with her older sister, attended graduate courses, and met her husband, Hehching Harry Li. Their life together took them to Missouri, New York, and Texas as they raised two wonderful children, James and Jennifer. 

Maihwa continued to paint throughout her life, expanding her skills to oil and acrylic. She shared her artwork in art shows, exhibits, and festivals. She taught painting as a guest teacher in public schools, Chinese school, arts and cultural centers, and community college. She also taught Ikebana, origami, and Chinese cooking.

When Maihwa and Hehching relocated to Portland, she became a docent at the Portland Art Museum, Japanese Garden, and Lan Su Chinese Garden. She continued to exhibit and teach art at schools, The Village Gallery, and the Portland Parks and Recreation Senior program, traveling to centers all over the metro area. She also became active with First Saturday PDX and the Portland Suzhou Sister City Association.

In remembrance and in honor of Maihwa, PSSCA is dedicating a yearly Maihwa Li Asian Arts Cultural Studies Scholarship Award to a deserving student attending any one of our accredited universities in Oregon.