Presented by Visual Communications, HOWZIT!: THE LINDA MABALOT EFFECT is a photographic exhibition at the Far East Lounge (located in the heart of Los Angeles Little Tokyo’s historic district) celebrating Linda Mabalot and her legacy. Serving as the longest tenured Executive Director at Visual Communications (VC) from 1984 until her passing in 2003, this exhibition celebrates a community leader widely loved and remembered for her creativity, spontaneity, and infectious laugh. A self-described “country girl” from Dixon, Linda was an activist, journalist, and mentor for newer generations of media artists and leaders. Her impact, or the “Linda Effect”, can be seen most clearly in the people that she collaborated with, mentored, and uplifted. Drawing from Linda’s bursting greeting, “Howzit!: The Linda Mabalot Effect” portrays Linda’s everlasting legacy in the people that she influenced whose work continues to nourish our communities today.

FREE ADMISSION. Capacity is limited. Masks are encouraged.

Exhibition Hours during LAAPFF

Thursday, May 4: 5pm to 9pm
Friday, May 5: 5pm to 9pm
Saturday, May 6: 11am to 8pm
Sunday, May 7: 11am to 8pm

Far East Lounge

351 E 1st St
Little Tokyo

  • Amy Kato

    As one of the core staff producers for Visual Communicaions, Amy Kato played an integral part in the development of various VC productions, such as HITO HATA: RAISE THE BANNER, the first feature-length film made by and about Asian Americans.

    (From left): Linda Mabalot, Amy Kato

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • John Esaki

    As a longtime staffer of Visual Communications, John Esaki went on to direct Stand Up For Justice, a short film about Ralph Lazo, a Chicano youth who accompanied his Japanese American classmates to the Manzanar concentration camp. Currently, John is the Vice President of Programs at the Japanese American National Museum.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Nancy Araki

    As Visual Communications’ Development Director during the 1980’s, Nancy Araki worked alongside Linda Mabalot to pivot VC from a film production company to a media arts center. Nancy was the former Director of Community Affairs at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles before retiring in 2013.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Janice Tanaka

    As Visual Communications’ Development Director during the 1980’s, Nancy Araki worked alongside Linda Mabalot to pivot VC from a film production company to a media arts center. Nancy was the former Director of Community Affairs at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles before retiring in 2013.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Leslie Ito

    As Visual Communications’ Development Director during the 1980’s, Nancy Araki worked alongside Linda Mabalot to pivot VC from a film production company to a media arts center. Nancy was the former Director of Community Affairs at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles before retiring in 2013.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Francis Cullado

    As Visual Communications’ Development Director during the 1980’s, Nancy Araki worked alongside Linda Mabalot to pivot VC from a film production company to a media arts center. Nancy was the former Director of Community Affairs at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles before retiring in 2013.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Abraham Ferrer

    Longtime VC staffer; staff documentarian; a mentor to a whole generation of emerging filmmakers; an organizer of community-based film screenings and visual arts events; a programmer and co-director of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

    (From left): Matthew Lopez, Barbara Nishimura, Linda Mabalot, Abraham Ferrer

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Visual Communications (VC) (1970-Present)

    Linda Mabalot and Visual Communications founders at the 20th anniversary celebration taking place at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC).

    (From left): Alan Ohashi, Eddie Wong, Robert Nakamura, Linda Mabalot, Duane Kubo

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) (1983-Present)

    A capacity crowd at the then Aratani/Japan America theatre sends best wishes to Linda Mabalot during closing night ceremonies of the 2003 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)

  • Linda D. Mabalot

    Linda cheers on former Loyola Marymount University film student Gene Cajayon and the makers of Gene’s The Debut, which opened the 2000 edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

    (Source: Visual Communications Photographic Archive)