Visual Arts
Highlights
Korean American Seattle-based fashion designer Jean Glover and husband Craig Glover hold a preview of their new store located in Pacific Place highlighting their sophisticated women’s designs and a sneak preview of their upcoming spring 2015 line on Wed., Nov. 19th from 6 – 8pm. 600 Pine St. on the First Floor. RSVP to Lissa Gruman at getresults3@gruman-nicoll.com or call (425) 445-5332.
“Castle Rock is for Lovers” is a show of paper cuts by Laureen Iida. The artist writes that the show “is an homage to the matriarchs of my family who both endured incarceration during WW II at Tule Lake Relocation Center in Northern California. These images come directly from my grandmother’s sister’s collection of personal photos dating back to the 1930’s. Through examining these glimpses into the past I learn about my family’s complex history.” On view now through Dec. 19th. Artist’s reception is on Wed., Dec. 10th from 7 – 9pm. Cornish College of the Arts Alumni Gallery at 1000 Lenora.
“Hand and Wheel – Contemporary Japanese Clay” looks at the long-standing ceramic tradition in Japan and surveys the work of modern ceramic artists working from the traditional to the contemporary. Organized by the Portland Art Museum and curated by Maribeth Graybill, Ph.D., The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art. On view from Nov. 1 – June 21, 2015. 1219 S.W. Park Ave. (503) 226-2811.
“Withered Lotus Cast in Iron” is the title of the first solo exhibit of the distinguished Chinese artist Pan Gongkai, son of the renowned twentieth-century master Pan Tianshou. A contemporary master of ink painting, Gongkai prepares large-scale compositions without interruption, in sessions that often last more than twelve hours. He considers this physically demanding process as a key performative element of his work. For the Frye Art Museum show, Pan has created a large-scale, site-specific ink painting which will extend the entire length of the museum’s largest gallery. (206) 432-8288. Frye Art Museum is at 704 Terry Ave. or go to to www.fryemuseum.org.
“Art Prints of Sadao Watanabe” is on view through Dec. 30th. This exhibit showcases Christianity through the folk art “Biblical Prints” of Japanese printmaker and artist Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996). On display will be stencil prints, original stencils, and tools of the artist as well as monographs from the East Asian Library Collection on mingei and mingei artists. At the Allen Library North Lobby, East Asia Library in Gowen Hall on the 3rd Floor. (206) 543 – 4490.
KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown/International District has the following – The ever popular annual fall show, “8th Simple Cup Show Invitational” opens on Sat., Nov. 1st, 2014 and remains on view until Dec. 31st. This version features work from not only North America/Japan but for the first time introduces to the Seattle audience, the work of Korean contemporary ceramic artists as well. Go to koboseattle.com for updates. 604 S. Jackson St. (206) 381-3000.
On view Until Nov. 22nd is a group show entitled “LINEAGE UW Faculty & Students”. The work of George Tsutakawa, Roger Shimomura and Patti Warashina is included. “Red Ribbon Salon” is a group show of Northwest artists including the work of Paul Horiuchi. Opens Nov. 11th and remains on view until Dec. 23rd. Seattle ArtREsource Gallery. 625 First Ave. #200. (206) 838-2695 or go to seattleartresource.com.
“Live On: Mr.’s Japanese Neo-Pop” – The disaster of the March 11, 2011 tsunami and nuclear accident came as both a shock and inspiration for Japanese Neo-Pop artist Mr. In response he created a massive installation composed of everyday objects from Japanese life. It forms the centerpiece for this show with a series of new paintings and other work. Organized by SAM, this retrospective is his first solo exhibition in a U.S. museum. A protégé of Takashi Murakami, the icon of Japanese Pop art and a member of the otaku subculture, Mr.’s work is marked by an obsessive interests in anime and manga. Be there for an opening night performance on Nov. 21st from 7:30 – 9pm where the artist treats you to a playful experience filled with anime, costume plays, and the wild energy of Neo-pop. Free but space is limited. You must RSVP by going to visitsam.org/tickets. This exhibition is organized by SAM in collaboration with Kaikai Kiki Co. Ltd., Galerie Perrotin and Lehmann Maupin Gallery. Opens Nov. 22nd, 2014 in the Tateuchi Galleries of the Seattle Asian Art Museum and remains on view until April 5th, 2015. 1400E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or go to seattleartmuseum.org.
Curator/sculptor/installation artist June Sekiguchi unleashes a whirlwind of activity by showing the fruits of her creative labors in various guises/projects/exhibitions and we are the richer for it. Her massive piece entitled “Pineal Canopy” comprised of 36,000 hand tied knots dipped in wax and threaded through 368 router pinecone disks is included in the BAM Biennial “Knock on Wood” on view through March 29th, 2015. 510 Bellevue Way NE. (425) 519-0770. As a compliment to the Bellevue Arts Museum show, ArtXchange Gallery will feature a three -person show of their gallery artists in “Knock on Wood” at their space from Dec. 4th – Jan. 31st, 2015. The work of June Sekiguchi, Humaira Abid and Elaine Hanowell will be on view with opening reception on Dec. 4th from 5 – 8pm. 520 – 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org. “Taki” (waterfall in Japanese) is a site specific piece to be permanently placed in the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery of Seattle Municipal Tower inspired by the famous woodblock print by Hokusai entitled “A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces”. 700 5th Ave. in downtown Seattle on the 6th floor. This piece can be seen from Oct. 23rd, 2014 on along with other pieces by Marita Dingus, Humaira Abid and Gustavo Martinez as curated by Preston Hampton. Finally Sekiguchi will be involved in a group show entitled “The Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human” which intends to examine the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness. A variety of people, from mental health advocates to community leaders/organizations will come together to speak about mental illness and its effects on our society. Sekiguchi’s son, Quin Breeland has created QR code links to the artists’ works and will have an audio/visual experiential multi-media piece. Opening reception for this show is Jan. 9th, 2015 from 4 – 6pm. Tours by artists paired with mental health professionals are scheduled throughout the exhibition. Sekiguchi tours with Eli Hstings, marriage and family counselor and assistant director of Pongo Teen Writing on Jan. 13th at 12pm. At Seattle City Hall at 600 4th Ave. in the 4th floor lobby and Anne Focke Gallery.
“To Be Alone Together” is an group exhibition co-curated by Emma Jane Levitt and Shelly Leavens through the Dana and Toni Rust Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Connor. The curators try and capture the solitude and interaction of Northwest art by having contemporary Northwest artists respond to work by Northwest artists in the museum’s collection. Work by Paul Horiuchi and Norie Sato are in the group that are shown. Contemporary artists Paul Komada and singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama respond to specific artists as well. 121 S. First St. in La Connor. Oct. 4 – Jan. 4th. (360) 466-4446 or go to www.museumofnwart.org.
“Near/Far” is the title of a show by former Seattle Cornish student Lauren Iida now living in Cambodia. Her show of intricate paper cutaways Guest Curated by David Strand help her process and preserve her experiences with the people of landscape of that country. She is working on literacy campaigns and establishing libraries for children in rural areas. Her work explores notions of figure and place that transcend geographic and cultural borders. On view from Nov. 13th – Jan. 23rd in the Entry Gallery. Artist’s reception will be on Thurs., Dec. 11th from 5 – 8pm. Gage Academy Of Art at 1501 10th Ave. E. in Seattle. (206) 323-4243 or email info@GageAcademy.org.
Roger Shimomura’s “American Knockoff” has an autobiographical ring pitting the artist against the world of Asian stereotypes and what it means to live as an Asian American in this “land of the free and home of the brave.” It was last seen in the fall of 2013 at Greg Kucera Gallery. Now an expanded version of this show with a new catalog is at the Museum of Art at Washington State University Gallery in Pullman. On view through Dec. 13th. A performance of “Within the Silence” by Living Voices Theatre takes place on Nov. 13th at 7:30pm in the Jones Theater on campus. Installation Exhibit on Student Entertainment Board Oct. 23th – Nov. 14th. Panel Discussion on “Cartoon Propaganda” in the Museum of Art/WSU with dates TBD. (509) 335-1910. In related news, The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences has a profile of 1945 alumnus Tom Kitayama whose family was originally from Bainbridge Island. He was the first Japanese American to hold public office in California as Mayor of Union City. Go to http://museum.wsu.edu/shimomura.html for complete details. This touring exhibit comes to Tacoma Art Museum and Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon in 2015.
In related news, Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon presents “Roger Shimomura: Works on Paper” which will open Nov. 8th and remain on view through Feb. 1, 2015. Organized by Director John Olbrantz to complement the travelling exhibit, “Roger Shimomura : An American Knockoff” which opens at the museum next January. The exhibition features 29 prints drawn from local and regional collections, including works from his “Minidoka Snapshots” and “Minidoka Identities” suites, both of which deal with internment camp issues. 900 State St. in Salem, Oregon and part of Willamette University. (503) 370-6855 or go to willamette.edu/arts/hfma.
“Labor: A Working History” is an exhibit following the path of workers’ rights locally and on a national scale beginning in the 1800’s with Hawaiian and Native-American laborers for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Through Dec. 31st, 2014 at Clark County Historical Museum at 1511 Main St. in Vanouver, WA.For details, call (360) 993-5679 or visit www.cchmuseum.org.
“Uprooted: Japanese American Farm Labor Camps During World War II” is an exhibit about Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. This exhibit tells the story of the first such labor camp in Nyssa, Oregon in which interned Japanese Americans did seasonal farm labor in the sugar beet industry. Photos by Farm Security Administration photographer Russell Lee document these camps. On view until Dec. 12th, 2014 at Four Rivers Cultural Center at 676 SW Fifth Ave. in Ontario, Oregon. For details, call (541) 889-8191 or visit www.4rcc.com or www.uprootedexhibit.com.
On view until Nov. 29th will be paintings by Yumiko Glover. A series of paintings centered around highly sexualized figure of the Japanese schoolgirl, set against disjointed images of past and furture world wars and pop culture iconography. Originally from Hiroshima, the artist is now based in Hawai’i. Bryan Ohno Gallery. 521 S. Main St. (206) 459-6857 or go to www.bryanohno.com.
New and recent shows due to open at the Wing include the following – “Do You Know Bruce?” is a major new show on the personal, intimate story of martial arts artist and film star Bruce Lee and the significance of Seattle in his life. Opens Oct. 4th with the full support of the Lee Family. The Wing is the only museum in the world, outside of Hong Kong, to present an exhibition about Bruce Lee’s life. The Lee family has plans to eventually open a permanent museum on Bruce Lee’s life and legacy in the Chinatown-ID neighborhood. This show will make for a good initial introduction. “RESIST – Asian American Acts of Struggle” remains on view through Jan. 18th, 2015. Wing Luke also co-sponsors a new exhibition “Voices of Nisei Veterans” at the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Hall. Oral history testimonies and rare collections tell the story of Japanese American veterans before, during and after World War II. “BOJAGI: Unwrapping Korean American Identities”, a new show on our local Korean American community opened Nov. 13th and remains on view through the spring of 2015. A new exhibit entitled “Puppet Power! Asian Traditions Come to Life” opened on July 19th. See innovative creations from Asian American puppet artists, video performances and hands-on puppet play. Created in partnership with the Northwest Puppet Center and the Valentinetti Puppet Museum. Still on view is “ART IN MOTION: The Evolution of Board Culture” From surf board to skate board, learn how Asian Americans have contributed to this thriving culture. Curated by Gabriel Goldman of Platform Inc. Includes the work of Wally Inouye, Nhon Nguyen, Nin Truong, Junichi Tsuneoka and Mike Yoshida. Free Fa- Still on view is “#iconic: Power and Pop Culture” which explores how Asian American pop icons are made and what it means to look up to – or challenge – these figures. “Hometown Desi: South Asian Culture in the Pacific Northwest” is a semi-permanent display that opened Oct. 3. It will explore the history of South Asians in this area up to the present. The Family Fun Art Activity list reads like this – The Family Fun Art Activity for Sat., Dec. 10th at 1pm will be with calligrapher/Chinese watercolor artist Maggie Ho who will show you how to try traditional painting techniques yourself. Museum members are invited to a “Holiday Member Appreciation Day” on Sat., Dec. 6th from 1 – 4pm. Enjoy a program themed around the “Bojagi” exhibition and visits from an Asian American Santa and popular local graphic artist Enfu. 719 South King St. (206) 623-5124 or visit www.wingluke.org. Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. First Thursday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm. Third Saturday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm.
Currently on view at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park – “Colored Vases” is the first work by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei acquired by Seattle Art Museum. The artist took ancient earthenware vases and dipped them in buckets of industrial paint allowing them to drip dry. By covering the surfaces with a new paint, what is underneath – like history itself – is “no longer visible, but is still there.” The irony is that they play on the question on and question authenticity issues that the artist likes to raise in today’s market for Chinese Art. On view until December 7th is “Ink. History. Media” by Chen Shaoxiong. The artist examines the history of protest as a universal political expression. He downloaded images of protest form around the world and did ink drawings from these images, turning them into a video installation. Another video installation consists of ink drawings of historic photos of major events in Chinese history during the 20th century. The artist was a founding member of “Big Tail Elephant Group”, a collective of Guangzhou-based conceptual artists in the 1990’s. Today he works independently and also collaborates as a member of an Asian artist collective known as “Xijing Men” and another Chinese collective known as “Project Without Space.” He is a multi-media artist using painting, photography etc. For complete information on all events, go to seattleartmuseum.org.
“Nature and Pattern in Japanese Design” is a related exhibition to “Deco Japan” in two parts that will be shown at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Part 2 begins August 16th, 2014 and continues till April 19th, 2015. Coming August 30th is “City Dwellers: Contemporary Art from India” which looks at the shift towards urban centers and the culture and arts of the city. Organized by SAM from the collection of Sanjay Parthasarathy and Malini Balakrishnan.Visit sam.org or call (206) 654-3100.
“BAM Biennial 2014: Knock On Wood”, a group show of artists working with wood on view through March 29th, 2015. Includes work by Humaira Abid and June Sekiguchi. Bellevue Arts Museum. 510 Bellevue Way NE. Go to www.bellevuearts.org.
Tacoma Art Museum has opened a new wing to accommodate the gift of a new collection. “ART OF THE AMERICAN WEST: The Haub Family Collection at Tacoma Art Museum just opened. Included in the present show is work by contemporary Chinese American artist Mian Situ. He creates epic paintings in the European tradition but inserts Chinese American immigrants as protagonists in scenes in which they’ve previously been missing. “Photographic Presence and Contemporary Indians: Matika Wilbur’s Project 562” is the first installment of Matika Wilbur’s ambitious project to capture contemporary Native American life by documenting people from all 562 federally recognized tribes in the US. The photography of Seattle photographer Chao-Chen Yang is included in a group show entitled “Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots”. This show explores the distinct identity of Northwest art and how it has adopted, adapted and reacted against its western roots. A theme particularly apt and timely since the museum is building a new wing to house their new collection of Western art. Both shows through the fall of 2015. Tacoma Art Museum is at 1701 Pacific Ave. (253) 272-4258 or go to TacomaArtMuseum.org.
“Nature as Is” is a show of new work by Tacoma artist Patsy Surh O’Connell now on view through Dec. 15th. Tacoma Community College on the Gig Harbor Campus at 3993 Hunt St. in Gig Harbor. For information, call (253) 460-2424. For details on the artist, go to www.patsysurhoconnellart.com.
“Mythscapes : Contemporary Art from the World’s Oldest Continuing Culture” which includes the work of indigenous artists from Australia including work by Sarrita King. Co-curated by the gallery and Ann Snell Gallery of Sydney. Hurry as show closes on Nov. 22nd. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 First Ave. S. Open Tues. – Sat. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
Tacoma artist Fumiko Kimura has had a long-time career in Puget Sound exhibiting her work and keeping busy with her Puget Sound Sumi Art Group. This year brings a new opportunity to see her life’s work. A retrospective of her work takes place at Tacoma Community College Art Gallery through Dec. 13th. She shares the space with artist Rob Fornell. 6501 S. 19th St. (253) 566-5000.
Seattle artist Diem Chau has her work reproduced in a new book entitled “Big Art/Small Art” (Thames & Hudson) by Tristan Manco.
Juliet Shen will be in a group show entitled “Duwamish Artist Residency” set for March 5th – 26th, 2015 at Gallery4Culture. The show sheds light on the activities of twelve studio artists who gather every summer to work together for a week at various spots along the river. For details on their work, go to duwamishresidency2012.wordpress.com. Please note that as of 2015, Gallery4Culture will no longer have shows during the months of December and August. Shows continue during the other ten months.
The Whatcom Museum in Bellingham has an interesting show entitled “Reaching Beyond: New Designer Craftsmen at 60” juried by Ben Mitchell. On view until Jan. 4th, 2015. 121 Prospect St. (360) 676-6981 or go to whatcommuseum.org.
Discover the history and culture of the Tulalip tribes at the Hibulb Culture Center. Currently showing an exhibit on “Coast Salish Canoes”. 6410 – 23rd Ave. NE in Tulalip. (360) 716-2600 or email info@hibulbculturalcenter.org.
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in Portland has “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of an American Community” a show that celebrates the lives and contributions of Oregon’s Nikkei community, and evokes memories of shared experiences – from early settlement through the trials and tribulations of WWII and into the 21st century. Upcoming exhibit is “Before Memories Fade: Uncovering the Story of the Kida Family of White Salmon” tentatively scheduled to Open Nov. 8 and remain on view through Feb. 22, 2015. Open Tu. – Sat. 11am – 3pm and Sundays, noon – 3pm. 121 NW 2nd Ave. (503) 224-1458 or email info@oregonnikkei.org.
Versatile artist/sculptor/installation artist Kanetaka Ikeda has a series of new large brightly-hued abstract paintings set for a November show at Portland’s Blackfish Gallery at 420 NW 9th Ave. (503)224-2634 or go to blackfish.com.
The Museum of Contemporary Craft. Upcoming April 17th – August 16h in 2015 is “The New Frontier: Young Designer-Makers in the Pacific NW”. 724 NW Davis St. in Portland. (503) 223-2654 or go to mocc.pnca.edu.
The Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver BC, Canada has a show entitled “The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors” which captures the atmosphere and aesthetics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with paintings, ceremonial clothing and more. Includes nearly 200 treasured objects from the collections of Beijing’s Palace Museum. Worth the trip up north. Opens Oct. 18th and on view until Jan. 11th. Opening Nov. 15th and on view until April 6th is “Unscrolled: Reframing Tradition in Chinese Contemporary Art” which looks at how Chinese artists today view their tradition. Re-working traditional aesthetics in conceptual ways, artists use new forms and media – such as digital animations and site-specific installations-to provide a myriad of means to understand and examine traditions influence on visual culture in present-day China. Work by Ai Weiwei, Xu Bing, Yunfei Ji, Sun Xun, Chen Shaoxiong, Zhang Enli, Madein Company, Liu Jianhua, Qiu Shihua and Jennifer Wen Ma. In related news, VAC will launch a new Institute of Asian Art expanding its exhibitions, collections, programs and create a new endowed Senior Curator of Asian Art. Future exhibitions planned include a project with Tsang Kinwah, a major exhibition of contemporary art from India and the continued growth of the museum’s permanent collection of contemporary Asian Art. 750 Hornby St. (604) 662-4719 or go to vanartgallery.bc.ca.
“Meet Me at Higo” permanent exhibit- Part Two” presented and sponsored by the Wing is a multi-media presentation and self-guided tour that tells the origins and history of the store as a Japanese American five and dime. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail info@koboseattle.com or call (206) 381-3000.
The surreal work of multi-media New York-based artist Ryo Toyonaga is given his first major museum retrospective drawing on 20 years of ceramic and mixed sculpture, drawing and painting in “Awakening”. The images come forth from a well-spring of recurrent dreams. On view rom Oct. 11 to – Jan. 4, 2015. On view till Dec. 28th is “Ten Symbols of Longevity and Late Joseon Korean Culture”. “Japanese Impressions from the Vault: The Rare, the Beautiful, and the Bizarre” is on view until Feb. 8th, 2015. On view till June 7, 2015 is “Elegance & Nobility: Modern & Contemporary Korean Literati Taste”. And finally “Vistas of a World Beyond: Traditional Gardens in Chinese Material Culture” is on view until July 5, 2015.University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene. (541) 346-3027 or visit jsma.uoregon.edu.
“Claiming Space: Voices of Urban Aboriginal Youth” is a group show that shows “contemporary, conceptual and Native art” that features 25 young artists across Canada, the US, Norway and New Zealand, “to define what it really means to be an urban Aboriginal artist today.” On view Through Jan. 4th, 2015 at Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC. On the UBC campus. 6393 NW Marine Dr. (604) 822-5087 or go to moa.ubc.ca.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has a number of Asian art shows on display now. On view until Jan. 11th is “Hiraki Sawa: Under the Box, Beyond the Bounds”, the first comprehensive exhibition of Sawa’s work in Canada, featuring intimately scaled and monumental video works from the artists’s career. Through Jan. 4th, “Visualizing a Culture for Strangers: Chinese Export Paintings of the Nineteenth Century” is on view. Oct. 31st – Jan. 25th is a group show entitled “Shin Hanga: The New Print Movement of Early 20th Century Japan” which look sat the new print movement that replaced ukiyo-e prints in popularity in the 20th century. 1040 Moss St. (250) 384-4171 or go to aggv.ca.
“Sacred Trees of India: Photographs by Deidi von Schaewen collects large-scale images taken by the artist over years travelling through India. Through Dec. 3rd. Evergreen Gallery at Evergreen State College at 2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW in Olympia. Go to evergreen.edulgallery for details.
The contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is today always in the news, more so since he was placed under house arrest by Chinese authorities. In 1983, he left China for the first time and lived in New York for a decade. Those early years were to prove to have a lasting influence on his consciousness and future art activities. Now 227 black-and-white photographs of that period the artist took are on view in the show “Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs 1983-1993” at Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia at 1825 Main Mall. On view through Nov. 30th. (604 822-2759 or go to belkin.ubc.ca)
Every fall, the Brower Center in the Bay Area presents the Art/Act Award & Exhibition, created to honor established artists who have dedicated a significant part of their careers to using art’s unique transformative power in the service of activism. In 2014, the Center recognizes internationally acclaimed sculptor, architectural designer, and environmentalist Maya Lin, known most widely for her Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but whose most recent work has focused on threated ecosystems. ART/ACT: Maya Lin is on view till Feb. 4th, 2015. The show will highlight the fragility of bodies of water around the world such as the San Francisco Bay and Tuolumne River. For details, try http://www.browercenter.org/exhibitions/maya-lin. In further news, it was announced that Maya Lin has won the $300,000 Gish Prize. This prize was established by Lillian Gish’s will to be given annually to “a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.” Lin will collect the award at a prevent event at the Museum of Modern Art on Nov. 12th. Lin was chosen from among 100 nominees in all fields of the arts. The playwright David Henry Hwang was the chairman of the selection committee and stated that “With her design for the Vietnam memorial, Maya Lin created arguably the most important piece of public art of our time. Since then, she has continued to achieve greatness, through a singular vision which has come to embrace her passionate concern for the environment – in America, China and throughout the planet.” Lin is currently engaged with an ongoing multisite work, “What Is Missing?,” which combines art and science to increase awareness about the loss and biodiversity and natural habitats.
“Kimono: A Modern History” is a new show in The Arts of Japan Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on view through Jan. 19th, 2015. Some twenty-five kimono robes on loan from private, public and museum collections are now on view. 1000 Fifth Ave. in New York. Go to www.metmuseum.org for details.
Wang Qingsong’s “ADinfinitum, a series of colossal photo-murals is on view at the Frost Art Museum as part of Art Basel in Miami in Nov. Known for walking the streets of China with a camera and setting up massive crowd scenes for his photo murals. Go to editorial@newstravelsfast.biz for details.
Thai contemporary artist Jakkai Siributr is known for his sociopolitical installations with layered surfaces that are stitched, embroidered and filled with sequins. His work is profiled in an article entitled “The Fabric of Memory” by Gregory Galligan in the Nov. 2014 issue of Art in America.
Aimee Ng is the new associate curator at New York’s Frick Collection. She starts work in February. She is currently pHd candidate at the Drawing Institute at the Morgan Library & Museum, New York.
“In The Land Of The Dead, Stepping On The Tail Of A Rainbow” is the title of a show of new work by Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami now on view through Jan. 17, 2016 at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. Go to www.gagosian.com for details.
The President of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, Lee Yong-woo resigned in protest following the censorship of a painting satirizing Korean President Park Geun-hye in a Gwangju Biennale satellite show entitled ‘Sweet Dew – After 1980”.
Performing Arts
Highlights
The Japanese Community Service of Seattle presents the Third Annual Musical Bridge Benefit Concert featured noted Tokyo singer/songwriter Kuniko Fukushima making her Northwest debut along with jazz guitarist David Yamasaki, Taiko duo Rintaro and Asako Tateishi, violinist Takumi Taguchi and the Cherry Blossom Trio Singers. Sat., Nov. 22nd from 1 – 3pm. Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center at 400 South Second St. in Renton. For details, contact Tazue Sasaki at (206) 723-1135 or email tazue@earthlink.net
“Upbeat on Jackson” features a concert by M9 and jazz pianist Sumi Tonooka on Sat., Dec. 22nd at Ernestine Anderson Place located at 2010 S. Jackson St. at 7:30pm. Go to upbeatonjackson.org for details.
Oregon Nikkei Endowment celebrates their 25th Anniversary with a special Japanese Traditional Arts Program at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland on Nov. 30th. This special, one-time-only event includes a short concert by Portland-raised. Bay Area-based koto player Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto-Wong, a Japanese classical dance performance by the Shomi Tachibana Dancers, followed by a screening of a new film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the WWII Internment Camps”. The film is the first-ever major presentation of traditional music, dance, and drama in the camps, and the remarkable roles played by the teachers of classical Japanese art forms. Many teachers and students were tracked down, located and interviewed. Muramoto and Tachibana will be available for questions after the presentation. Sunday, Nov. 30th at 2pm. The Hollywood Theatre is at 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. Go to www.hollywoodtheatre.org or call (503) 224-1458.
Seattle singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama expands upon his solo career but unveiling new songs from his latest recording at the Tractor on Dec. 3rd.5213 Ballard Ave. NW in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. (206)789-3599.
JACL Puyallup Chapter will hold its annual Mochi Tsuki event at Tacoma Buddhist Church at 1717 S. Fawcett St. in Tacoma on Sun. Dec. 13th. Come join in the mochi pounding and get ready for New Years.
The “Poetry On Buses” Project is back. Expect the unveiling of poems by over 360 poets due to appear on Metro buses across the city. Go to www.poetryonbuses.org for details.
The Seattle International Comedy Competition takes place on Nov. 28th at 8pm. Kirkland Performing Center for the Arts at 350 Kirkland Ave. N. in Kirkland, WA. (425) 828-0422 or email info@kpcenter.org.
Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in Tacoma presents the Peking Acrobats to the Pantages Theatre on Sat., Jan. 17th at 7:30pm. Also booked is a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” set for Feb. 6 at 7:30pm and Feb. 8th at 2pm at the Rialto Theatre. On May 16th, Northwest Sinfonietta presents “The Taiwanese Connection”, a classical concert highlighting Taiwanese contemporary composer Gordon Chin’s premiere of his composition dedicated to Taiwan. Also Taiwanese violinist Mae Lin plays Mendelssohn’s Violin concerto.7:30pm at the Rialto. 901 Broadway in Tacoma. (2530 591-5840.
Seattle Symphony plays host to a full season of events. Here are some highlights. Dynamic young pianist Yuja Wang gives a piano recital on Dec. 3 at 7:30pm. “Celebrate Asia!” is the annual East meets West signature Seattle Symphony event set for March 1st.. Carolyn Kuan conducts the orchestra in a program of music by A. R. Rahman, Yugo Kanno in a Seattle Symphony Commission U.S. Premiere and music by Tan Dun. Musical guests include Chiaki Endo on koto, Dozan Fujiwara on shakuhachi and Meeka Quan DiLorenzo on cello. Yuja Wang returns as piano solist with the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in a program of Britten, Gershwin and Shostakovich on April 1st. April 21st brings the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to town under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung with Sunwook Kim on piano. Yo Yo Ma, cello virtuoso plays one afternoon only with the symphony on May 3rd at 2pm. On May 26th, violinist Pinchas Zukerman performs with pianist Angela Cheng. Visit Seattlesymphonyorg or call (206)215-4747.
Book-It Repertory’s adaptation of David Guterson’s “Snow Falling on Cedars” plays the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center March 13th – 28th, 2015. (206) 842-8569.
The Ahn Trio, a family of classical siblings perform at the Edmonds Center for Performing Arts on Jan. 9th, 2015. 410 Fourth Ave. n. in Edmonds. (425) 275-9595.
“Fast Company” is the latest production by Porkfilled Players. It’s a Chinese American crime caper by Carla Ching and directed by Amy Poisson. Through Nov. 23rd. Theatre Off Jackson at 409 Seventh Ave. S. (206) 340-1049 or go to theareoffjackson.org.
Jennifer Paz takes the lead role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights – A Hip Hop Musical With a Salsa Beat” Through Nov. 23rd at Everett Performing Arts Center at 2710 Wetmore Ave. (425) 257-8600.
Soprano Haeran Hong sings in the Seattle Opera production of Richard Strauss’ “Aradauf Naxos” set for May 2 – 6th, 2015. Go to http://seattleopera.org for details.
The Undergraduate Theatre Society at UW will present a new production of David Henry Hwang’s play, “Yellow Face” as directed by Eliza Wu from Jan. 22nd – Feb. 1st, 2015.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with Myung-Whun Chung conducting and Sunwook Kim on piano take on Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 and Brahms Symphony No. 4 on April 21st, 2015 at 7:30pm. Noted American cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs with Seattle Symphony on May 3rd at 2pm. At Benaroya Hall downtown at 3rd & Union. (206) 215-4747 or go to seattlesymphony.org.
Violinist Michael Lim joins Cornish Faculty member and pianist Cristina Valdes in a concert of contemporary pieces with David Requiro on cello. Sun., Nov. 23rd at Kerry/Poncho Hall. 7pm.
Town Hall Seattle “Global Rhythms” series has the following. Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole sweeten the romance on Valentine’s day with a performance of Hawaiian music and dance. Sat., Feb. 14, 2015 at 8pm. The Hamsaz Ensemble play a concert entitled “Iran Through the Centuries” on Thurs., March 26, 2015 at 7pm. Rounding off the “Global Rhythms” Series is Saigon’s Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre featuring Rup Tung Cack on Fri., May 15th at 8pm. This is a 1,000 year-old folk art form. 1119 Eighth Ave. (206) 652-4255 or email info@townhallseattle.org or go to townhall.org for details.
Popular slack key guitarist/singer Makana makes a welcome return to Seattle as part of the “Live @ Benaroya Hall” series this fall on Nov. 20th. (206) 215-4747 for ticket information.
UW Music Faculty member Melia Watras and violist explores improvised and notated music with an all-star group of local musicians including jazz trumpeter Cuong Vu and Pacific Northwest Ballet concertmaster/ violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim. Sun., Jan. 11th at 7:30pm. $20 tickets with $12 student rate. Meany Theater on the Seattle campus of UW. (206) 543-4880.
The Nile Project was inspired by Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Project. Egyptian musicologist Mina Girgis and Ethiopian American singer Meklit Hadero follow the source of the river and combine the musical riches of musicians from 11 countries lined by the Nile Basin. Expect to hear a concert of music from the polyrhymic styles of Lake Victoria and the Ethiopian highlands onto the shores of Egypt and Sudan. Fri., Jan. 30th at 8pm. Meany Theatre on the Seattle UW campus. Go to uwworldseries.com or call (206) 543-4880.
UW Music collaborates with the student-led Improvised Music Project for a series of concerts for IMPFEST VII with a house band of UW instructors and visiting faculty and jazz studies students. Hard to go wrong with a band consisting of Steve Swallow, Chris Cheek, Bill Frisell, Cuong Vu and Ted Poor. May 1st – 3rd, 2015. All performances at the Ethnic Cultural Center on 3931 Brooklyn Ave. NE in Seattle. $20 general and $12 students. (206) 543-4880.
It’s always refreshing to hear young talent. Trio Andromeda consisting of violinist Allion Salvador, cellist Hye Jung Yang and pianist Li-Cheng Hung won the 2014 UW Strings and Piano Chamber Ensemble Competition. They give two concerts in 2015 on Jan. 31st at 4:30pm and Sat., May 30th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5. Brechemin Auditorium in the Music Building on the Seattle UW campus. (206) 543-4880.
Srivani Jade, Indian vocalist is the UW Winter Quarter Ethnomusicology Visiting Artist. She gives a recital with her students on “Hindustani Khyal Music from India” on tues. , March 10th at 7:30pm in Brechemin Auditorium in the Music Building on the Seattle UW campus. (206) 543-4880. $5 tickets. (206) 543-4880.
UW School of Music alumna Wendy Yamashita, now a faculty member at the University of Hawai’i, Manoa returns to UW Seattle to give a “Master Class and Recital” on April 28th and 29th, 2015. Expect a program of Mozart and Chopin for the 28th recital at 7:30pm with $15 tickets. The April 29rd Master class is free and starts at 4:30pm. Brechemin Auditorium in the Music Building on the Seattle UW campus. (206) 543-4880.
Seattle composer/musician/performance artist Byron Au Yong remains busy as always. He is working on “TRIGGER” with writer Aaron Jafferis prompted by the April 16th tragedy at Virginia Tech, where a Korean American student shot 32 people and then killed himself. He is also working on a performance piece entitled “TURBINE” for over 88 singers and nine dancers set for May at the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia. Current compositions are for a piano trio entitled “Lost Fireflies” and Mo Sheng: Ink Sound for string quartet.
Film & Media
Highlights
“Project Fukushima” is a new documentary film featuring activities in the Fukushima area after the Great East Japan Earthquake and starring some of the major Japanese musicians and performers. Directed by Hikaru Fujii. Seattle debut at Japanese Cultural & Community Center at 1414 S. Weller St. Nov. 23rd at 2pm. Free
“Norte, The End of History” by Filipino auteur Lav Diaz won best film at the 2014 Locarno Film Festival. This 3 hour epic looks at the traumatic and transformative effects of global capitalism in the Philippines through the eyes of a jailed shopkeeper. Screens Nov. 14th – 20th. Not to be missed! “Seven Samurai” by Akira Kurosawa tells the tale of a Japanese village and their inhabitants. Desperate for protection from invading bandits, they hire warriors to be their army and help them defend themselves. It is considered one of the greatest films ever made. Northwest Film Forum screens a 16mm print on the film’s 60th anniversary for one night only on Thurs., Dec. 4th at 7pm. During the screening, film editor Richard D. Pepperman will join the audience via Skype to talk about his forthcoming book entitled “Everything I Know About Filmmaking I Learned Watching Seven Samurai”. He is currently a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Sponsored by the Seattle Film Institute. 1515 – 12th Ave. (206) 267-5380 or go to nwfilmforum.org.
The Japanese Cultural & Community Center presents a Japanese film series entitled “Matinee Eiga” every Sunday at 2pm. $5 for non-members and $3 for JCCCW members. 1414 S. Weller St. (206) 568-7114 or go to www.jcccw.org. Call (425) 369-1012 for details.
The 9th Annual Seattle South Asian Film Festival recently concluded one of its’ most successful events in its’ history. Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage received the Tasveer Emerald Award. Vivek Kajaria, producer of the film, “FANDRY” received a special award for “Outstanding Film in a Social Category”. Indian director Kanu Behl’s “TITLI” received the SSAFF Jury Award. SSAFF 2014 Audience Awards were given out in three different categories. The Bengali mystery-drama “Teenkahon” by Bauddhayan Mukherji received an award for “Best Narrative”. Puja Maewal’s “JAYS” received an award for “Best Short Film”. Finally for “Best Documentary”, Kamar Ahmad Simon’s “Are You Listening!” got the nod in that category. The 10th Annual Seattle South Asian Film Festival is lated next for the fall of 2015. Go to http://said.tasveer.org/ for details.
The Written Arts
Highlights
The popular graphic artist Ken Taya better known as ENFU will do a book signing for his new book of art on Nov. 22nd at Higo from 1 – 4pm. 604 South Jackson St. Go to www.ifartrainbow.com for details.
“Author, Poet, and Worker: The World of Carlos Bulosan” is a new exhibit on view from Nov. 7th – March 13, 2015 at the Allen Library Basement – Special Collections Lobby and Reference Room. In commemoration of the centennial of poet and author Carlos Bulosan’s birth, the exhibit draws on the papers of Bulosan, the cannery workers union, and various Filipino American labor leaders and community members within the broader context of Seattle’s Filipino American community and the progressive political culture in which he participated.
Ruth Ozeki’s latest novel “A Tale for the Time Being” managed to turn a huge news item into a very personal story of relationships between people as a woman off the coast of Vancouver BC finds the journal of a Japanese young girl washed up on the beach after the Japanese tsunami. Seattle Arts & Lectures brings Ozeki to town to talk about this book and perhaps her new introduction to the new UW Press edition of John Okada’s “No No Boy”. Thurs., Nov. 20th at Town Hall Seattle. 1119 Eighth Ave.
Rajesh Rao discusses his book “Brain Computer Interfacing” on Nov. 19th at 7pm at UW Kane Hall.
Local veteran and Fife resident Choichi Shimizu reads from his memoir “Cho’s Story” at Nisei Vets Hall on Sat., Nov. 29th at 7pm in the NVC Meeting Room downstairs. 1212 South King St. (206) 322-1122.
As part of the Saturday University “New Worlds of Science: The Heritage of East Asia Lecture Series” presented by the Gardner Center For Asian Art And Ideas with UW Jackson School of International Studies and Elliott Bay Book Company, Professor Dong-Won Kim of Johns Hopkins University will lecture on “Images of Science and Technology in South and Noth Korea” on Sat., Dec. 6th at 9:30am. Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Stimson Auditorium. 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. For details and the planned next series for late winter/spring 2015 on relations between Asia and Africa, go to www.seattleartmuseum.org.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church presents the annual St. Peters Holiday Arts, Crafts and Book Fair on Sat., Dec. 6th at the Church from 10am – 3pm. A fun one-stop shopping event for the holidays. 1610 S. King St. For details, call (206) 323-5250. Free admission.
The Washington Center For The Book At The Seattle Public Library and Elliott Bay Book Company co-present Pakistani-American diplomat, scholar and researcher Haroom K. Ullah (who grew up on a farm in Washington State) reading from his book entitled “The Bargain from the Bazaar: A Family’s Day of Reckoning in Lahore” (Public Affairs) on Sat., Dec. 13th at 2pm in the Seattle Public Central Library’s Microsoft Auditorium. 1000 Fourth Ave. downtown.Free admission. Go to www.spl.org for details.
Seattle poet Lawrence Matsuda (“A Cold Wind From Idaho”) has collaborated with artist Roger Shimomura to produce a new book entitled “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner – Poetry & Artwork Inspired by Japanese American Experience”. Shimomura was jailed as a youngster with his family at Minidoka War Relocation Center during WW II and Lawrence Matsuda would be born there. For both, the concentration camp experience would have a profound influence on their work. This book grew out of a common interest in that experience and their desire to express their concern about the injustice. Shimomura read the unpublished manuscript of poems and selected the poems he wanted to illustrate. The powerful poems find fortuitous company with the artist’s razor sharp artwork. Available locally at Elliott Bay Book Company and Kobo at Higo and through Amazon. The poet and artist appear in person in a reading/slide talk at Elliott Bay Book Company on Tues., Dec. 16th at 7pm. 1521 10th Ave. (206) 624-6600 or go to elliottbaybook.com.
Every year, the Office of Arts & culture manages dozens of permanent and temporary public art projects. “Making Art Work – Public Art 2014” celebrates the artists who worked on projects in 2014. Wed., Dec. 3 at 6pm at Northwest African American Museum at 2300 S. Massachusetts St. in Seattle. RSVP by Thurs., Nov. 20th by going to making-art-work-event-brite.com. Megumi Shauna Arai, Jason Hirata and Joana Stillwell are just some of the artists who completed art projects during this past year. For more information. Go to arts.culture@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-7171.
Poet Shin Yu Pai is an Ambassador for On The Boards and has planned an interesting literary event set for their Open Studio Series set for Dec. 13th at 3:30pm in the Studio Theater. Portland poet/activist Kaia Sand will read her poems and talk about her efforts to excavate the city’s history of Japanese American internment as well as other projects related to archival research and documentary poetics. Seattle poet/playwright Bob Flor reads his poems and talks about the history of the Alaskeros generation. $5 suggested donation.100 W. Roy St. (206) 217-9888 or go to ontheboards.org.
Copper Canyon Press, a noted Northwest publisher of quality books of poetry has a January 15th deadline for a reading period in order to consider new manuscripts of poetry for publication. For details, email elaina@coppercanyonpress.org.
Seattle paper cut artist/activist Lauren Iida and her Antipodes Collective is currently in Cambodia distributing donated books for their children’s library in Prasot village in Cambodia. Donations fund things like pre-class meals for students, library construction and materials. For details on this project, go to www.theantipodescollective.org.
One finds it hard to keep up with the steady stream of new titles coming out even in the limited categories of works by or about Asian Americans and new titles on Asia but here’s a recent sampling.
“Van Gogh on Demand—China and the Readymade” (University of Chicago Press) by Winnie Won Yin Wong looks at the burgeoning industry of thousands of Chinese villagers producing an astonishing five million fake Western art masterpieces in Dafen for a hungry market. It appears that cheap material goods are not the only thing produced in China.
“A View From The Bottom-Asian American Masculinity And Sexual Representation” (Duke University Press) by Nguyen Tan Hoang is a critical reassessment of male effeminacy and its racialization in visual culture with examples drawn from protrayals of Asian and Asian American men in Hollywood cinema, European art film, gay pornography, and experimental documentary.
“The Emperor Far Away—Travels At The Edge Of China (Bloomsbury) by David Eimer looks at some of the ethnic minorities who populate the borderlands of China and their relationship with Han Chinese. Especially timely in the wake of recent unrest in these areas.
“The Narrow Road to the Deep North” (Knopf) is a novel by Richard Flanagan tells the story of an Australian surgeon that begins in the despair of a Japanese POW camp on the Thai-Burma border and transcends to the present. It explores love, death and family and losses accrued in a single life.
“The Gurkha’s Daughter”(Quercus) by Prajwal Parajuly is a book of short stories that explore characters from Nepal and their lives as they are dispersed throughout Nepal, Bhutan, India and beyond.
“Dear Leader- Poet, Spy, Escapee – A Look Inside North Korea” (37INK) by Jang Jin-Sung tells the story of a high-ranking counter-intelligence agent who worked as a former poet laureate to Kim Jing-il.
“Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe” (Adams Media) is a new book by award-winning comic book artist Yumi Sakugawa erases the boundaries of the standard self-help book and sets readers free on a visual journey of their own self-discovery.
“The Descartes Highlands” (Akashic) by poet and prose writer Eric Gamalinda tells the story of two men who were sold for adoption by their American father shortly after their births in the Philippines.
“Separated @ Birth—A True Story of Twin Sisters Reunited” (Putnam) by Anais Bordier and Samatha Futerman begins on Facebook when two women discover the fact that they are indeed long lost twin sisters separated at birth. The journey of their re-discovery is chronicled here.
“Hunt For The Bamboo Rat” (Random House Children’s Books) is the concluding saga of a true story by Graham Salisbury that tells the story of a Japanese American soldier from Hawai’i who volunteers to spy on the Japanese army in the Philippines during WWII and his perilous escape at war’s end.
“When Half Is Whole—Multiethnic Asian American Identities” (Stanford) by Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu tells the multi-faceted, multi-dimensional stories of mixed-race identities and Asian American experiences.
“Red Juice—Poems 1998-2008” (WAVE) by Hoa Nguyen collects the poems of this long Texas-based poet who runs the literary journal Skanky Possum with her poet/husband Dale Smith. She now lives in Toronto where she curates a reading series and teaches at Ryerson University.
“The Color Of Success—Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority” (Princeton) by Ellen D. Wu looks at how this view of how Asians Americans started and how it became part of American political culture.
“A Tine to Dance” (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Padma Venkatraman tells the story of a traditional Indian dancer who refuses to give up her dreams after losing a leg. Suitable for young adults.
“The Shadow of Arms” (Seven Stories) by Hwang Sok-Yong looks at the untold stories of the Korean’s military involvement in the Vietnamese war and how these memories are hard to set aside once returning to civilian life. Another major epic by the author of “The Old Garden” and “The Guest”.
“The Story Hour” (Harper) is a new novel by Thrity Umrigar, the bestselling author of “The Space Between Us”. It explores the boundaries between friendship and forgiveness as a Western doctor and her Indian patient’s relationship deepens to a more complex situation.
Art News/Opportunities
Congratulations to all the local artists who nabbed grants from Artist Trust. IE writer Maria Batayola was a participant in the 2014 EDGE Professional Level Program in the literary division. Donna Miscolta and Mari Ichimasu both got 2014 Fellowships. 2014 Grants for Artist Projects went to Humaira Abid (visual), Ha na Lee (media), siang Hui Tay (music), and Sumi Tonooka (performance).
Recipients of the 2015 City Artist Project include the following – Percussionist/composer Paul Kikuchi to create an online interactive experience of a multi-faceted website with music, photos, writings and historical recordings with a “Meet the Artist” event to discuss the event. Musician/composer William Satake Blauvelt to create new music/sound scores for two Japanese silent film classics, “Jujiro” and “A Story of Floating Weeds”.
The online application for the Gallery4Culture season (beginning Sept. 2015 and running through July 2016) will be available at 4culture.org/apply beginning Nov. 17th. The application deadline is 5pm on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. King County artists working in all visual media, except performance, may apply. Applicants may not be represented by a commercial art gallery at the time of application.
Arts and Social change is an organization that recognizes and supports the culturally diverse communities that make up our region. They are sponsoring events around the region to give artists an opportunity to network with presenters and other srtists as a stepping-stone to diversifying the cultural experiences available for audiences around the state. Arts Connections Workshops will be held at Seattle Center for performers, writers and visual artists on Nov. 12th. For details, contact Jenny Crooks at (206) 884-7084 or email jenny.crooks@seattle.gov. At Armory Loft at Seattle Center at 305 Harrison St. from 12:30 – 6:30pm. On Nov. 15th, there will be a Professional Development Series for Performing Artists at the Tukwila Community Center. This all-day professional development event is open to all performing artists and costs only $15 with panbels, workshops, lunch and happy hour snacks. 12424 42nd Ave. S. in Tukwila. For details contact Doreen Mitchum at (206) 296-7579 or email Doreen.Mitchum@4cultuyre.org. An Arts and Social Change Showcase of visual and performing artists will be presented to presenters who book local talent in our region followed by a reception at Bellevue City Hall. Jan. 27th . At Meydenbauer Center at 11100 NE 6th St. For details, go to ascsymposium@gmail.com. For more information on all of the above, try http://www.artsandsocialchange.org/save-the-date/.
“Duwamish Revealed” is a series of outdoor art installations, performances, community activities and other adventures to help develop art as a way to connect people to the Duwamish River. Activities are planned for the spring and summer of 2015. You do not have to be a professional artist to be part of this project. If you have a vision for a project on the river, let us know. Read details of our call for applications at http://www.duwamishrevealed.com/call-to-artists/.
Canadian filmmaker Ann Marie Fleming is working on a new film project, a full-length animated feature starring Sandra Oh and Nancy Kwan. The plot revolves around a young Canadian poet of mixed Asian heritage who when performing at a festival in Iran is confronted by different truths about her father who she always thought abandoned her as a child. An indiegogo campaign is under way to raise funds for this project. For details, go to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/window-horses-an-animated-feature.
The Little Tokyo Historical Society in Los Angeles seeks entries for their 2015 Short Story Contect. LTHS seeks fictional short stories set in the community of Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo for its second annual “Imagine Little Tokyo” writing contest. Deadline is Jan. 31, 2015. Cash awards of $600 for adutls and $400 for younger adults. Winners get stories published in The Rafuy Shimpo and Discover Nikkei website. For details, go to http://www.littletokyohs.org.
The 2015 Annual Washington State Juried Art Competition issues a call for artists of Washington State to submit their work. Deadline is Nov. 17th, 2014. Over $9,000 in awards. To enter, try CallForEntry.org. for more information, call (360) 551-7526 or go to CVGShow.com.
Seattle Transmedia & Independent Film Festival issues a call for submissions. Early submission is now open for entries in all 16 categories, including the relatively conventional (short, feature, documentary, animation), the wonderfully wacky (fan fiction, experimental), and the entirely new (emerging technology, new media, video game). For information or to submit a film, weisode, app. or multi-platform interactive narrative to STIFF 2015, visit http://trueindependent.org/stiff/submit/. The festival takes place May 1 – 9 in the University District of Seattle.
The city of Enumclaw is seeking artists to demonstrate and display their work in participating local businesses during the Enumclaw Chambers Downtown Wine Walk on Nov. 22, 2014. For an application, contact Gary LaTurner at glaturner@ci.enumclaw.wa.us or call (360) 802-0239.
Northwest Folklife invites musicians, dancers, community groups, artists, storytellers, and instructors to participate in the 2015 Northwest Folklife Festival set for May 22 – 26th, 2016 at Seattle Center. Submission deadline is Dec. 1st, 2014. Visit online at http://bit.ly/1gZafhY or call michelle at (206) 858-8135 or email michelle@michellesanderspr.com.
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