Former student Jack Strub and surviving brother David Lau have come together to raise funds for The Matthew Lau Art Collection, Display, and Preservation Fund. When Matthew Charles Lau passed away in 2025, he left behind more than a legacy in opera and teaching—he left behind a private world of paintings few people have seen.
A group of these paintings were entrusted to Strub as one of his former students. Originally, they were meant to be divided up among alumni, but once they were hung together for the first time, it became clear: they belong together.
We are now working to preserve the collection as a unified body of work—professionally scanning each piece, creating high-quality reproductions, and custom framing both originals and prints for a full public exhibition this spring. Our goal is to make Matthew’s visual legacy accessible to his students, family, and community while protecting the integrity of the original works.
Funds raised will support:
- Museum-quality reproductions of works located outside Minneapolis
- Custom framing for original paintings and exhibition prints
- Professional scanning and digital archiving
- Gallery installation and opening costs
- Website hosting and long-term digital access
- Curatorial labor and preservation planning
For many of his students, Matthew was the first openly gay adult they had known. He modeled what it looked like to be bold, brilliant, and fully yourself. This exhibition is more than an art show—it is a preservation of queer legacy, mentorship, and artistic devotion.
If Matthew impacted your life, or if you believe in preserving the stories of artists whose work might otherwise remain unseen, we would be honored by your support.
Learn more about Matthew's story and art on the online home of the Matthew Lau Legacy Project at matthewlaulegacyproject.com.
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