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Valentine’s Day is the day when couples and singles alike can express love and gratitude towards family, friends, and significant others. Therefore, it was only appropriate that Yoko Ono, widow of John Lennon, one of the founding members of the world-renowned English rock band, the Beatles, hosted an art exhibition of Lennon’s artwork, “All You Need is Love.”

Lennon and Ono were both advocates of spreading love, peace, and humanity towards all people, and Lennon’s artwork depicts his idealistic views to a tee. Approximately 80 to 90 original pieces were displayed in the exhibition, most of them delving into his ideas of fame and his marriage with Ono. Ono’s presence in his artwork is magnified, as she has personally made Lennon’s typically black and white art more colorful with paint.

Other works displayed on view were handwritten song lyrics of popular songs such as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and, arguably one of Lennon’s most iconic songs about world peace, “Imagine”.

“There’s just so many connections with [Lennon’s] songs and with his message in general,” said Rudy Siegel, the producer of the art for John Lennon. “Love is tied to John Lennon. Couples, parents, children, and grandparents come and celebrate Valentine’s Day with John… It’s been a tradition for us to show his work for this holiday. It really tends to resonate with people.”

Lennon’s artwork has been exhibited in many different cities all around the world. However, Pasadena seemed to be the ideal place to host this special event.

“We’ve been trying to find a place to showcase Lennon’s work in Pasadena for approximately five years or so,” said Siegel. “We think it’s the perfect place because, like Lennon, this [city] is cool, relaxed, welcoming, and kind… You can tell that this place has the same vibe that John Lennon would have had.”

Despite the fact that Pasadena is not a short drive from major neighboring cities, there were visitors from all around the greater Los Angeles County to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“Lennon is still a personal hero of mine,” said Santa Monica native Jillian Staning, who was proudly wearing a vintage Beatles t-shirt. “I came all the way from Santa Monica to see this [exhibition] with my boyfriend… We can still learn a lot from John and Yoko’s love for one another and others.”

The exhibition, which gathered approximately 3,000 visitors, was a free event. However, to further commemorate Lennon and Ono’s humanitarian work, they partnered up with The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to ask for a small donation of $3. All the money collected will go straight to the non-profit organization to benefit those less fortunate and hungry in the Los Angeles County.

As evident from all the visitors who came to support Lennon’s work and his ideas of helping one another, he was, and still is, clearly not the only dreamer.

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