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TweetIn honor of Keiro no Hi, we hosted the third annual Fine Arts Showcase! We invited everyone in Our Community, age 60 and above, to create and express their talent through different forms of art.
The theme for the Fine Arts Showcase in 2022 was:
Tsunagari – Connection
Thank you to all of our wonderful artists who submitted their artwork this year for the showcase!
Click here to view the Meet the Artists page
マルシェバッグ – Yukari Iwamoto (63)
日本古来の伝統の編み方を100%リサイクルの日本製紙バンド仕上げました。紙バンドは昔からお米の袋を閉じる紐として結ぶ＝繋ぐために活用されてきました。そのあまりを持ち寄って、ご近所さんと井戸端会議をしながら編み込んで行くうちに様々な実用品が生まれたようです。日本古来の伝統の編み方を友人とおしゃべりしながら学び、このハンドバッグが編み上がりました。環境にも安心な材料で、お友達と繋がりながら、できあがった伝統も繋ぐ作品です。
Red Rose – Yoshiko Mitsuhashi (96)
I drew a Red Rose with watercolors during Nikkei Senior Gardens’ Watercolor painting class. This artwork was made for my loved ones.
Family – Yoshi Komaki (101)
I create pieces for my family who are always there for me.
Clothing is Universal – Yoko O’Malley (82)
We connect with clothes as we can mix and match.
南洋の風景 [Tropical Scenery] – Yoko Maruta (80)
ガーデナー敬愛ホームの壁を飾るパネルです
コロナ以前は入居者の方々とともに折り紙や塗り絵を作り壁に飾っていましたが、今回は入居者の娘さんがお手伝いしていただきパネルにかざることができました
French Beaded Flowers – Yoko Chanoki (84)
I was introduced to this charming handcrafted art called French beaded flowers when I lived in Atlanta, GA. I kept and cherished these beautiful flowers arrangements at home until today. Each flower is constructed of small glass beads strung on a fine gauge wire , then shaped into blooms using a magical technique.
Tabiji Eggshell 22 – Wendy Lew Toda (62)
The Tabiji Eggshells speak of the time before kintsugi – when we don’t know if there will ever be repair. Into that unknowing, the movements of the brush connect our brokenness with beauty, gently tracing the jaggedness of our journeys with gold, naming those parts of us sacred, swirling together through to the other side. Tabiji: journey through. Media: Eggshell, watercolor, acrylics
My Stash – Virginia Suzuki (89)
Keeping all the scraps from past quilt projects, I was able to connect and utilize them for this quilt. This is in keeping with the Japanese tradition of revisiting old objects and forming something new. Each scrap is a reminder of the past for me.
Watercolor Tulip – Violet Tanaka (95)
I drew Tulips during Nikkei Senior Gardens’ watercolor painting class. I enjoy painting Tulips with different colors and shapes.
Flowers = Love – Violet Kuroki (87)
I love flowers and displaying them in my vases.
Venice Japanese Community Center 100th Anniversary Origami Art – Venice Japanese Community Center Origami Club
This Origami Art is the Venice Japanese Community Center’s logo made up of 1001 paper cranes. The two sticks represent the people, the small yellow circle represent the Venice Japanese Community Center and the larger blue circle represents the community. The Origami Club made this Origami Art to celebrate and to recognize the 100th year anniversary of The Venice Japanese Community Center. This Origami Art represent the sense of unity of its community members and their families over the years by connecting with one another through classes, organization, volunteerism and friendships.
Imagination – Tomiyo Hatago (84)
The 3 pieces connect with each other but are different as individuals.
Sashiko (刺し子）- Tamiko Takagi (91)
Years ago I took Sashiko class in Little Tokyo with my friend. I was fascinated by the beautiful art-form of Sashiko. Sashiko is a form of functional embroidery from Japan. Traditional patterns are actually simplified representations of things found in nature. I combined 5 Sashiko patterns such as “Nowaki Grasses”, “Water”, “Asanoha”, “Dan-Tsunagi”, and “Higaki” along with a piece of fabric quilt.
Forests – Susie Yuki Oki (101)
Seeing beautiful trees in the mountains helps me feel connected to nature.
Past and Present – Sumiko Takase (85)
The Keiro administration building has a rich history that connects to today and the future.
Flowers from my Imagination – Sumie Maruya (91)
I started water color painting 23 years ago after my husband passed away. This kept me busy and from being depressed. My paintings are given to friends, donated to charities to be sold in auctions, and sold as postcards and in frames. I learned that to become proficient, it takes much practice.
Autumn Harvest – Satoko Yamamura (93)
I spent many of days enjoying beauty of nature while I lived in Maryland. Hand painted in watercolors, this autumn harvest was decorated outside someone’s yard. Corns and pumpkins were so beautiful, I started to sketch and paint. I studied the Art at Moorpark college years ago. Watercolor paintings improve my quality of life and make me feel good.
Teachers and Students – Satoko Komaki (93)
I feel a deep connection and appreciation to my ceramics instructors who help me create.
Lego Vespa Scooter – Sadao Dairiki (97)
My daughter Joni purchased a 1960s-era Lego Vespa 125 for my building project. This beautiful blue-colored Lego scooter contains 1,106 pieces in total and it took 2 to 3 months to complete. I enjoy building Legos, especially transportation models.
Connecting on Our Favorite Tree – Rick Osaka (68)
This is acrylic paint on canvas using symbols to communicate the idea of tsunagari or connection. I’ve been watching and listening to the birds gathering in my backyard, in my fruit trees and even on my telephone lines. They’re quite interesting. One thing led to another and I really wanted to paint a lot of birds for this work. So, this is a fairly direct story and a little bit different for me. It was fun to work with a positive theme and I always look forward to Keiro projects. It keeps me thinking for sure. Thanks Keiro!
Sammi and Her Hummingbird – Ralph Ichikawa (86)
I carved the front of this piece of mango tree bark from Hawaii with the nickname of my granddaughter Samantha with couple of plumeria flowers. There’s a defect in the bark that looks like an eye. The back is carved a hummingbird sucking nectar from a honeysuckle flower.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
“Origami with Lisa” Collection – Pasadena Buddhist Temple
Since Covid and with our Keiro Grant, we tried the origami classes online. When the pandemic eased up we had small groups that started to collect at the Pasadena Buddhist Temple and Nishi Hongwanji, this was good because our demographics were not those that utilized Zoom technology (plus we were able to help each other). Through the Zoom, we had a few people reconnect with others they grew up with.
Origami is what connected us together…thanks for the opportunity to share.
Flowers Bring Smiles – Misuzu Uyeki (86)
I feel a connection to nature when I see beautiful flowers.
Paper Collage Apple – Masako Kawano (95)
This was made during Paper collage art class at Nikkei Senior Gardens. This is the art form which is made up of overlapping pieces of materials from magazines. I enjoy making this.
Heart Gems – Marian Sunabe (63)
This is a necklace made of photos of my family and friends. I took the theme of “tsunagari” or “connection” literally, and connected all the photos by a braided thread. It’s a collection of people who are close to my heart that I can wear close to my heart!
Tsuru – Margaret Zumwinkle (92)
A connected pair of tsuru, one is taking care of herself and the other is daydreaming. Acrylic on hot-press watercolor paper. Not sure where I got the inspiration from. I originally thought the painting was done rather fast and careless, but the carelessness turned out well! One of my favorites.
Origambare Sunflower – Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Women’s Association’s Origambare Class
Lilies – Keiko Hirasawa (85)
I drew Lilies with watercolors during Nikkei Senior Gardens’ Watercolor painting class. Lilies are real summer beauties blooming from early summer all the way to fall. This watercolor painting was added some dark colors to the center of the flowers.
Caregivers Serenity Prayer – Kay Shizue Kami (67)
Acrylic painting of caregivers serenity prayer created for Aunt Masako Hollowell, caregiver for favorite Uncle Charles Hollowell. My husband Charles Hollowell was suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. He was a resident at Belmont Village in Burbank. Kay and Chuck had a special relationship and she visited him often. One day they had an art class for residents and guests. I had a copy of Caregivers Serenity Prayer in his room. A different design. She composed the design we submitted to Keiro with the acrylic paints they had available at the class. By the way the background photo – by her head- is a portrait of my father, Kay Shizuichi Kami, Kay’s grandfather, for whom Kay was named.
Remembrance – Karl Tani (82)
In a quiet moment, at a museum overlooking a lush forest, this photoshopped photograph of a grandmother’s loving thoughts connecting with a grandson defending our country in a foreign land.
First – John Okawa (89)
This is my first piece and I felt connected to my family who inspire me.
Crochet – Jane Meifu (90)
I tried crocheting about 50 years ago. I had seen one of my friends crocheting, and my interest was sparked! This blue and white blanket was a single crochet stitch that took a few weeks to complete. I made especially for the residents of Nikkei Senior Gardens as the blanket keeps their body warm.
“Connections” Bookmarks made from my yard plants – Jane Kubota (89)
I made these bookmarks by collecting plants from my yard and drying them. I put them on cardstock and laminate after I write who they are for and sign my name. I write cards and send these personal bookmarks to friends and family.
Krakatoa – Helen Fukuhara (73)
It’s a mosaic made up of commercial tiles and manmade ceramic pieces. Although Krakatoa is Indonesia. We could think of it as coming from a place in Hawaii where some of my mother’s side of the family live. So, we would have reunions there.
Family is Inspiration – Edwin (84) & Takako Teruya (92)
Connecting with family inspires us to create pieces that they will enjoy.
Avian Flew I – Carol T. Miura (84)
Enduring the present day pandemic caused me to go back to an early version of the contagious viruses which have plagued the world. This “connection” is not what we envision as the best kind of connection in our world, but it certainly makes us aware of how very affected we all are and how we must all stay connected together in order to solve the problems of the world. Here the god of longevity stands in the background holding his symbolic peach with a mother and child in front along with their good luck dog, all protected by the now ubiquitous masks. The birds, both domestic and wild, spew the virus globally. Ironically the bat in the upper right corner, traditionally viewed as good luck, is now blamed for the cause of today’s COVID virus.The guards on the sides remind us of the many tombs encasing the virus victims.
The painting is watercolor on Arches non acidic watercolor paper. I am a retired art professor from Santa Ana College. Recent news reports feature the resurgence of bird flu.
Here Little Piggy – Ben Tsuchida (91)
I feel a deep connection to all animals and living things.
Colorful Crochet Blanket – Ayako Shimizu (92)
I love to crochet and knit colorful and creative patterns for fun. This blanket was made with leftover yarns.
A tree with rainbow-colored leaves – Residents of Nikkei Senior Gardens
With an instruction of Lea Winston (Acrylic Paint Teacher), residents of Nikkei Senior Gardens drew their own unique and beautiful acrylic paints as part of our Art program. Residents enjoyed the fun of creating their own art and connection.
Past Fine Arts Showcases
View the 2021 Arts Showcase Gallery – Celebration
View the 2020 Arts Showcase Gallery – Quality of Life