J-Town Arts

New Roots, Deep Shoots 2

2012-02-09T06:33:00.001-08:00

Deep Roots, New Shoots II: Opening Reception and Artist Salon
January 21, 2012 12-2 PM--Artist Salon, 2-4 PM--Opening Reception

Location: NJAHS Peace Gallery 1684 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115

Artists Salon from 12 - 2 PM. This will be an informal presentation by participating artists of the DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS II Exhibit. The artists will discuss their artwork, personal histories, and ideas about art and community art in general.

Invited participating J-town Arts artists from DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS will be Richard Tokeshi, Leon Sun, Leland Wong, Sabrena Taylor, Holly Calica, Peter Yamamoto, Betty Kano, Christine Balza, Stuart Sugawara, Nancy Hom, and Fredrick Cloyd.

J-town Arts will have an Opening Reception from 2-4 PM. Please come to eat and drink and meet the artists of DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS II. Please bring your favorite dish to share!

first program of Part II of DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS on Saturday, January 14

2011-12-12T04:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Folks,

I know that we already decided on having the first program of Part II of DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS on Saturday, January 14. We were going to have an Artist's Salon followed by the Opening Reception.

NJAHS is going to replace all the flourescent bulbs in the building on that day. So we can't have our event then. It has been cleared with NJAHS for us to have it on the following Saturday, January 21. So I move that we accept their offer and have it on January 21. We can have the space from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. We can have the Artist's Salon from 12:00 noon til 2:00, then from 2:00-4:00 we can have the Opening Reception. I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THIS OFFER!!!! Please respond to this email with your "aye" votes!!!! (Ha-ha).

Our tentative schedule for programming for Part II of DEEP ROOTS NEW SHOOTS looks like the following:

Saturday, January 21--Noon-2:00, Artist's Salon; 2:00-4:00 Opening Reception

Saturday, February 4--2:00-4:00, either Fredrick Cloyd's Dream of the Waterchildren, a Multi-media Project, OR
Holly Calica's Women's Workshop.
Saturday, March 3--2:00-4:00, either Fredrick's Workshop or Holly's Workshop

Saturday, April 7--2:00-4:00, Book launch for Leon Sun and Pete Yamamoto. Maybe also Holly Calica.

With the change from January 14 to January 21, maybe now Sabrena can attend.

I will communicate separately with Fredrick and Holly about their programming.

Strength and Happiness,
Pete Yamamoto

At the old JAM...1982

2011-11-29T06:45:00.000-08:00

Leland was a rat leaving the sinking ship in the beginning.

2011-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

"Leland was a rat leaving the sinking ship in the beginning." -- Pete

Deep Roots, New Shoots

2011-10-03T03:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry we haven't told you of this earlier, but we have an exhibit going on at NJAHS gallery. Here's some info on it:

Exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots
40 years of Asian American art by veteran and emerging artists - On view August 24 - December 30, 2011.
Exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots

Location: In the NJAHS Peace Gallery at 1684 Post St., San Francisco.

This exhibit is curated by J-town Arts and presented by NJAHS. This project includes an art exhibit and public programs that cover up to 40 years of work by artists rooted in the Asian American communities of the Bay Area "Deep Roots, New Shoots” will also host artist salons, art workshops, individual artist retrospectives, visual, literary and performing arts collaborations and panel discussions on issues affecting the Japanese American community. “Deep Roots” acknowledges their past and reviews their development over the years, while “New Shoots” showcases their current work alongside the work of a new generation of artists from the community.

Featured artists include Christine Balza, Holly Calica, Frederick Cloyd, Aimee Espiritu, Nancy Hom, Judith Kajiwara, Betty Kano, Stephanie Lowe, Van Nguyen Stone, Stuart Sugawara, Leon Sun, Sabrena Taylor, Rich Tokeshi, Tai Chan Tokeshi, Leland Wong, Peter Yamamoto, and Hideo "Chester" Yoshida. For more info call 415-921-5007.

About J-town Arts(JtA)

Seeing art and literature as a reflection of the true experiences and feelings of the common people, the JtA strives to make art accessible, relevant and inspiring, contributing to the grassroots empowerment of Asian Pacific American communities in a multicultural U.S. JtA hopes to contribute to and help sustain an informed and unified voice and vision for the Bay Area Asian American communities by providing a blank canvas for artists of the Asian American experience to express their diversity and creativity.

Programs and Activities: The JtA works with community groups and projects to promote a strong, vibrant community. This is done through collaborating on art exhibits, classes, educational panels and artist salons, among other activities. Activities such as JtA’s quarterly coffee house salons, and its monthly silkscreen, “MEN ArT WORK,” (hated by Pete) and “Women Making Art” workshops take place at community venues such as the galleries at NJAHS and JCCCNC Gallery and the Japantown Peace Plaza. JtA has actively participated in community festivals for four decades, creating artwork for local festivals such as Oshogatsu Festival, Nihonmachi Street Fair and Cherry Blossom Festival.

Goodbye JTA Space!

2011-07-31T04:16:00.001-07:00

Today's our last day at our JTA space.

We're having a pot luck and hang out party like from 1pm and on. Please come and celebrate with us...kiss the space goodbye! Who knows what will become of us from here on. We got this exhibit coming up next month to the end of the year at NJAHS. Can we survive as a virtual group without a real physical space? We shall see!

Moving on....

2011-07-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

Hey supporters of JtA Workshop,

News of our demise is greatly exaggerated. Yes, we lost our space in the Nihonmachi Little Friends Building. But we're still around. Here are some events that we're involved in, and ways you can participate:

1. This coming Sunday (July 31): Our last "official" day in the NLF Building space. We're planning a final celebration to say good bye to a good space. We might find another workshop space at some point, but if not, the time that we were in that space was a good period of time. Come by and help us celebrate our closing! Potluck... Anytime during the day until around 5...

2. Nihonmachi Street Fair - Coming up on Aug. 13 & 14. The Street Fair Committee (headed by our own Grace Horikiri ;o) needs help in staffing the Nihonmachi Street Fair Photo Exhibit, to be set up in the Union Bank Hospitality Room (as it was last year). Let me know if you can help on Sat. morning from 9 am until 1 pm, Sat. afternoon from 1 pm until 5 pm, or on Sun., 9 am until 1 pm, or 1 pm until 5 pm. We would very much appreciate your help! Grace says if we don't get enough staffing help, we may not have this exhibit.

3."Deep Roots, New Shoots" art exhibit will open at the National Japanese American Historical Society, 1684 Post St., on August 24th. This exhibit will feature JtA artists, as well as other Asian American artist, both established and up-and-coming. Opening Reception will be on August 27th, from 2 pm to 6 pm, with an artist salon at 4 pm. Please come and check out what we have been doing, in the past, and currently...

-Rich

JAPANTOWN ARTS NOTES

2011-07-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

7/15/11

Everybody,

The good news: Last month’s garage sale was a modest success. We made close to $500. Once again, we thank all the garage sale donors: Betty Kano, Emy Hynes, Roberta Berteau, Kenny Yamada, Boku Kodama, Michi Tashiro, Yoshiko Kitawaki, Tai Tokeshi, Abbey Kerins, Doug Yamamoto, Rich Wada, Thelma Ong, Yoshiko Kashiwagi, Laura Takeuchi, Lois Ohwa, and Grace Fujimoto (Sorry if I missed anyone). I would like to especially thank Yoshiko Kitawaki who helped to get the word out for donations. Helping to price and organize the items on Thursday and Friday evenings were Holly Calica, Pete Yamamoto, and Leon Sun. On Saturday, Pete, Kay Nomura, Sharon Senzaki, Holly, and Leon came to help set up. Later in the day Lynn, Wes, and Max Nihei came by, along with Leland Wong. At the end of the afternoon, Sharon, Pete, Leon, Leland and I broke everything down and cleaned up.

We’re getting ready for our art exhibit “Deep Roots, New Shoots,” coming to the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), in August. Join us at our opening on Aug. 27. We’ll probably put out another email to everyone as that date approaches.

The bad news: We’ve been given a letter by NLF requesting that we vacate the premises at 1830 Sutter by Aug. 31. The reasons were varied, but the main one was non-payment of rent. There is no hope of reconciliation because NLF has decided to use the space in other ways. We are trying to leave by the end of this month. We’ve promised to pay back all of the rent we owe, and we will make good on our promise.

Please let me know: 1. If you can use any of the furniture in the workshop. We have heavy work tables, chairs, a desk, print drying rack, a T-shirt screenprint drying machine, lots of screens for screenprinting, a few file cabinets, several tall metal lockers, and a lot of unsold garage sale items; 2. If you can offer us free storage space for some of our art supplies and equipment; 3. If you know of any space where we can resume our community art effort (It must be low or no rent, however ;o).

If we can’t find a space, we’ll continue for as long as we can as a virtual community art workshop (!)…

Thanks to all of you for the support you’ve shown us through the years. Take care!

-Rich

The Party's Over

2011-07-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

Deep Roots New Shoots

2011-06-30T14:39:00.001-07:00

The logo for our upcoming exhibit at NJAHS. Designed by Leon Sun

Next Men Art Work July 11th

2011-06-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Bring your art materials to create art at our controversial workshop..we'll supply the food -- you supply the art. 6pm

Men ArT Work happens every second Monday at J-Town Arts, 1830 Sutter Street at 6pm. It's a workshop for Asian American men artists to get together and hopefully issues concerning the Asian American men artist will be naturally discussed in defining what art is to the Asian American man.

We'll have food, refreshments (brewskies) and the wide screen TV in a relaxing and supportive environment. Come on by!

J-Town Art Second Monthly Art Sale

2011-06-16T01:09:00.001-07:00

OK...our second monthly art sale is set for the 26th of June at J-Town Arts. That's a Sunday, so there should be ample parking. We hope to have our stuff a little more together this time. Meaning more stuff to show and sell. We still have a huge overhead to pay off and we hope the sales will get us in shape.

So come on by! Enjoy brunch on us, shoot the bull, chew the fat and buy some artwork. See you there!

MEN ArT WORK 2nd Meeting 6/21/11

2011-06-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

The Hulk has called for the second Men Art Work Night on Tuesday, June 21st 6pm. Menu still needs to be decided. We're leaning towards chow mein or soba or pansit or mi xao...

Agenda:

What's for supper?
Best deals for digital convertor box.
Can everyone chip in to buy a digital convertor box?
Does anyone have a pair of rabbit ears they can spare?
Your latest artwork
Art for monthly art sale
Artwork
Dessert

Leon's fourth rewrite

2011-06-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the fourth rewrite of the blurb for the upcoming exhibit at NJAHS:

"Like a farmer, we tend to our roots and nurture our
new shoots with hopes of abundance and continuity."

This show covers 40 years of work by artists rooted in the Asian American communities of the Bay Area. Throughout their careers, many of them doubled as activists as well. This exhibit acknowledges their past, reviews their development over the years and showcases their current works. It also proudly presents the work of a new generation of artists who came out of the same roots.

Call To Asian American Artists To Submit Works of Art To J-Town Arts Monthly Benefit Art Sale

2011-06-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

This is a call to Asian American artists to submit affordable works of art to sell at our monthy benefit art sale which falls on the last Sunday of each month at the headquarters of J-Town Arts, 1830 Sutter Street from 10AM to 2PM.

The purpose of the monthly art sale is to raise funds to pay our monthly expenses which we desperately need at the moment as we are behind in payments. The commission to the artist and JTA are 50/50. We hope to raise that amount to the benefit of the artists as we meet our financial goals.

Artists need not be present but are welcome at the sale.

Terms and Conditions

JTA is not responsible for art pieces that are lost, stolen, unclaimed or damaged.

Art not sold will be for sale again at the following month art sale.

Artists can take back their artwork at anytime.

JTA reserves the right to not carry artwork that does not reflect our mission statement.

Please email jtownarts@gmail for pick up or arrange delivery of art pieces.

Meeting minutes

2011-06-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

J-Town Arts Workshop
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES: 06/07/11

The following is an account of the minutes taken at the monthly meeting held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on June 7, 2011 at JtA Workshop, 1830 Sutter Street.

1. Attendees
PRESENT: Holly Calica, Rich Takeshi, Leon Sun, Leland Wong

ABSENT: Peter Yamamoto & Sabrena Taylor

2. Reason for the Meeting/Agenda

This meeting was held to discuss the following items:

o NJAHS art exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots update
o Garage Sale Logistics
o Nihonmachi Street Fair
o Workshop Events Update:
o Eth-Noh-Tec – fundraiser for Japan
o End of Month Art Sale
o Men At Work
o Women Making Art
o APILO-rent/insurance update
o Organizational structure & roles
3. Approval of Agenda: We informally listed what needed to be discussed

4. Topics, Discussion & Key Decisions

The following items were put on hold to discuss at our next meeting:

o Organizational structure & roles (1st item to be discussed)
The following items were discussed:

o NJAHS art exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots update
o Garage Sale Logistics
o Workshop Events Update:
o Eth-Noh-Tec – fundraiser for Japan
o End of Month Art Sale
o Men At Work
o Women Making Art
o APILO-rent & insurance (pending)
o Organizational structure & roles

1) NJAHS art exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots update
b) Rich shared that the actual time for the exhibit would be mid-August to end of December, not two different sets of times as originally thought. We can put up our show right after the current show comes down on August 15th. We discussed possible opening dates, but didn’t decide.
c) NJAHS needs the following ASAP, because publicity needs to go out at least 1 ½ months ahead of time, so we are behind schedule:
i) Postcard design. Needed immediately. Leon will design it.
ii) Signage for the window (not as urgent)
d) It was decided that Rich would send out a letter to the other artists (Zand, Nancy, Chester, Stephanie, Betty & Judy) to participate with the requirements. He will draft it and send it to everyone for edits.
e) Rich is setting up a meeting with Ros for Monday, June 13, 2011 at 3pm to discuss the exhibit logistics.
f) It was decided to keep the title, “Deep Roots, New Shoots.”
g) The summary was edited several times during the meeting, but Leon decided to rewrite the summary at home & send it to everyone via email.
h) It was decided to show both old & new artwork of artists together, as Ros liked the suggestion.

2) Garage Sale Logistics
a) Rich is making 8 stops to pick up & deliver garage sale items.
b) Pricing of items to take place Thursday & Friday evenings after 5pm.
c) Sale is this Saturday, June 11, 2011 starting at 10am.
d) The garage sale is lots of work. We discussed dropping it to focus on art sales. No decision made.
e) We decided to clean up the space after the garage sale.

3) Workshop Events Update:
a) Eth-Noh-Tec – fundraiser for Japan
i) We made $62.00 dollars and donated $20 dollars.
b) End of Month Art Sale
i) We made $52.00 dollars and the food was excellent!
c) Men At Work
i) They came, they met, they drank & then came back later in the week to make art for the End of the Month sale. Leland is actively using the space and completing small paintings.
d) Women Making Art
i) Successful beading workshop led by Melinda Kanios. $41 donation gathered
e) JtA Events Publicity Postcard
i) Holly suggested having a postcard with all of JtA’s ongoing arts events: End of Month, Silkscreen workshop, BLAsian Literary Group, Men at Work & Women Making Art. Holly will pay for it and Leon will design it.

4) APILO-rent & insurance
a) Rich left a message and emailed Laura re: adding JtA to APILO as “added insured” and that rent is a priority and must be paid.

5) Organizational Structure & roles
a) Leland stressed the need for an organizational structure with voting to protect JtA from people with outside agendas. Leon mentioned our current method of concensus for the time being. Holly said she thought the idea of a collective was a good one. Rich said we should go for nonprofit status & the following members were the board: Rich, Leland, Leon, Pete, Sabrena & Holly. We all decided that we needed to discuss this with everyone present.

5. Agenda for Next Meeting

o Organizational structure
o NJAHS art exhibit: Deep Roots, New Shoots update
o Workshop Events Update: End of Month, Silkscreen workshop, BLAsian Literary Group, Men at Work & Women Making Art.
6. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm by Rich. No date set for next general meeting.

GARAGE SALE!!! 6.11.11

2011-06-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

We are going to have another garage sale on June 11th. That's a Saturday and you know that they tag cars in J-Town on Saturdays. But come on to our garage sale. We desperately need the money to pay rent. So far our garage sales have been generating more money than the art sales. So park your car, pay $2 an hour to those smart meters that alert the meter attendant by radio that there is a car whose meter just expired. Come on over and see the great stuff we have for sale. You know the old saying, "One man's junk is another's treasure." And one woman's treasure is junk. We'll have the BBQ going and there's gonna be a lot of food. So come on over to the garage sale. Rummage through the stuff to find some real treasures. Donate your junk to turn it into our treasure. Have a hamburger. Bring refreshments to share. Sit around and BS...it's all good!

An update on Eth-Noh-Tec's art sale....we sold about $50 worth of art.

An update on the monthly art sale just this last weekend...we sold about $50 worth of art.

An update on the first Men Art Work night. It was declared a success as we bit into the mouthwatering famous bulgogi tacos by the Hulk. We did not get any artwork done, but the tacos sure were good!

Pearl Knotting by Melinda Kanios

2011-05-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

J-Town Arts Workshop Presents: Pearl Knotting by Melinda Kanios

at our monthly "Women Making Art" Workshop

Join us next Wednesday, May 25th, 6:00pm to 9:pm at 1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA

Pearl knotting class: In addition to the ongoing monthly art workshop, you can add pearl knotting to your repertoire. You’ll learn how to use beading thread to knot pearls or other kinds of beads to make a necklace. All materials will be provided for 4 persons. You can also bring your own supplies: beads, thread, tweezers, bead caps, scissors, mat, clasp and glue. You will come away with a finished necklace!

Don't feel like pearl knotting? No problem, bring your own materials & make your art!!!

$5 - $10+ donations accepted for space usage, plus $5.00 materials fee

(Note upcoming "Women Making Art" dates on your calendar (all Wednesdays): 6/22, 7/20, 8/24, 9/21, 11/16

For any questions ~ call me @ 415-235-6479

Holly Calica

J-town Arts Workshop

Artists from the Heart: A Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser

2011-05-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser

Time
Saturday, May 21 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Location
Nihonmachi Terrace
1615 Sutter Street in Japantown
San Francisco, California

Created By
Eth-Noh-Tec

Eth-Noh-Tec’s Salon! You’re On! and APICC’s United States of Asian America Festival
present

Artists from the Heart: A Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser

Performances by Eth-Noh-Tec, Wes Ueunten & Sushi Cal Band, Karma Intertwined, and the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance Men’s Chorus. - 5pm

Asian American Arts Marketplace with Rich Tokeshi, Ellen Bepp, Kiyomi Koide, Anna Wong, Leon Sun, Sandy Wong, and more! - 7pm

J-Town Arts Monthly Art Sale

2011-05-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

The first J-Town Arts monthly art sale is now set for May 29th, Sunday, Memorial Day weekend. We hope to have at least twenty five original works of art that day. Please come and see if anything is of interest.

The purpose of the art sale is to catch up on our expenses as in rent, incorporation legal procedures and general funds for the organization.

This is also a call for any artists who would like to contribute artwork to the sale. For now the commission to the artists will be only 25%. We hope to make that higher as we meet our goals.

We hope to keep costs of the art pieces below $100. The ideal is to make a faster sale.

We will have the BBQ going. Even if you don't think you're going to buy anything, just come on by...hang out and enjoy the sun. We'll be there from 10am to 2pm.

MEN ArT WORK

2011-05-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

Men Art Work is for Asian American men artists to get together on a Monday nights to sit down together and do artwork in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Artists are encouraged to share their ideas and get positive feedback in their art projects. There will be food and big screen TV.

Our first meeting is set for May 23rd, Monday 6pm at JTA, 1830 Sutter Street, SF

There are men within JTA who don't think this is a good ideal. Here is one who opposes this:

As far as a "Men's Night", I never thought that it was essential for the following nitpicky reasons. If there is going to be a special night, then it should be called bi-sexual, or heterosexual. Because men being in a superior social position must never freeze out women who are subjected to male supremacy by society and men in general. Leland, you know this is true even though you claim not to admit it!!!!!

But there is a rationale for having a "women's night", because women are a specially oppressed group and any specially oppressed group (i.e. Asians, Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, Okinawns, Zainichi Koreans) should have the right to band together to fight their oppression in the particular for-instances of their individual positions. Men do not have a position of being specially oppressed in heterosexual society as women are. Therefore, men are not entitled to a special group. In fact, historically men have frozen women out of elite groups, so those all-male groups should be integrated by women. But women, being oppressed by men in society should be entitled to groups that exclude men to talk over the specific aspects of their specific oppression. This is true with Asian people. Though we do not discriminate against white people, it would be important that we take care about white people taking over the leadership and the decision-making in a "minority" or "Third World peoples'" organization. There is no such thing as reverse discrimination because the oppressed people is moving against their individual oppression. And it is their right to resist oppression by banding together with the oppressed.

IN CONCLUSION......I don't think there should be a "Men's Night". I think it should be an all-inclusive J-town Arts Night. And I understand why there should be a Women's Night, to enhance the participation of women as a sub-group. But is the women want to include men also on their special night that is O.K. as an AFTERTHOUGHT.

That's my two cents. Wanna fight, Leland?

Then there some apprehension:

I'm going to comment on your ideas, Leland. The last Sunday of the month idea is pretty cool. Haven't started on any drawing or painting yet, but I like the idea. I like that it doesn't have to be anything BIG. I'll have SOMETHING on May 29th. Don't know what or how many... On your Monday idea: Are you talking about EVERY Monday? That would be not "Men Working" but "Men Slaving Away." But O.K., sounds good. I understand that this is a response to the "women's only" thing, but I think we should open Monday Men Working up to the ladies, too, and just make it an art work day. We still outnumber the ladies, you know... At one of the first garage sales, I bought what I thought was a digital converter box. I have to look around for it, though - it kind of disappeared. But - we DO have a DVD/VCR player, which was donated by Boku along with the big TV. And, for my part, I'm willing to fire up the barbecue grill from time to time...

With that in mind, let's move onwards!

garage sale on June 11th

2011-05-12T04:49:00.000-07:00

I would like to do another garage sale on June 11th. You guys keep planning and doing the art events. I'll work with our other supporters to do the garage sale. We need to be making that back-rent that we owe!

-Rich

Monthly Art Sale at JTA

2011-05-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Who:
Members (a loosely defined term)of JTA, friends and contributing artists. Support from non-artists such as staffing, matting and selling are welcome. At least two people are needed to staff the sale.

What:
A benefit monthly art sale at JTA to sell simple cheap art to pay our rent and expenses.

When:
Each last Sunday of the month starting with May 29th. Starting at 10am and going till about 2pm. Including holidays.

Where: J-Town Arts, 1830 Sutter Street, SF. On the stairways in front or the parking lot or inside the basement of JTA.

Why:
Because we have expenses...we owe rent. We need money to do our non-profit organization procedures. We need money to purchase art supplies, etc.

How:
Produce flyer to publicize our monthly artsale. Post in community and on internet.

Ask artists to submit five pieces of artwork. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, etc. Bring to JTA. Add matting or frames if needed.

Sunday morning, set up panels and hang art. Sit around, sell and eat. Hang out, have a good time.

At the end of the day, tally up sales. Hand money over to our finance officers Leon Sun or Richard Tokeshi. A commission of 25% will be paid to the artists.

Leftover artwork can be left for the next month sale. Artists can take their unsold art pieces at anytime.

Artists must sign an agreement form spelling out the terms and condition of the sale.

We reserve the right to refuse carrying any art not compatible with our organization's mission. We are not responsible for art pieces damaged, lost or stolen.

Then What...

When we are in the black, we should continue to do this weekly event since rent is an ongoing expense. We should raise the percentage of sales to artists when we show a positive cash flow.

Minutes from the April 12th Meeting

2011-04-27T22:52:00.001-07:00

JAPAN TOWN ARTS WORKSHIOP

MONTHLY GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

The following is an account of the minutes taken at the monthly meeting held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on April 14, 2011 at JtA Workshop, 1830 Sutter Street.

1. Attendees

The following members of JtA Workshop were PRESENT:

Holly Calica, Rich Takeshi, Sabrena Taylor, Leon Sun, Leland Wong,

The following members of JtA Workshop were ABSENT:

Peter Yamamoto

2. Reason for the Meeting/Agenda

This meeting was held in order to discuss:

o Earthquake Relief Efforts

o Robert's event/Eth-Noh-Tec

o APILO

o Rent

o House Keeping

o NJAHS art exhibit update

o Open Studio Update

o Garage Sale

o Workshop update

3. Approval of Agenda

a. Minutes approved from last meeting

4. Topics and Discussion

Garage sale preparation 4/13-4/15 Date for sale: 4/16/11

Betty Kano's students to help.

Robert Kibuchi's Earthquake Relief – donate of sales to the relief and

Donate % to Eth-Noh-Tec. Majority agreed to do it.

Rich will speak with Robert about 10% and check out space.

APILO – Rich brough Frances' gran proposal to APILO. Dean will have grant writer to talk to Francis and approach Zeller Bach/Linda Howell.

APILO's non-profit status shows Ninhon Legal Outreach so rejected by Zeller Bach.

No news about APILO's art project around domestic violence.

Dean said JtA needs to work on 501 c 3 status . It has been three years since JtA was suppose to start working on this. The cost is $1,000 and need a board of directors.

Kathy said JtA has to be under APILO's insurance.

Dean said for JtA to ask Laura to add JtA as "added insured"

Rent – 8 months behind (9/10 – 4/11) owe $2,000.

Pete was suppose to follow-up with Laura Takeuchi, accountant/#2 person at APILO; however, he has not been able to due to his medical reasons.

Rich will contact Laura by email and "cc" the other JtA members.

Owe Rich $1,500 for rent. $123 in cash box are from class fees.

New fundraising ideas – Leland gave example of low brow art done by Giant Robot on Haight Ashbury & Shrader.

Discussion about being a collective or non-profit status

Holly suggested an open discussion with the community to seek help about the future direction of JtA (possibly going towards a non-profit statu).

Open studio – postpone with Art Span.

Leland, Rich and Holly are interested. $180/per person.
5. Key Decisions

FoFollowing decisions were made:

· Garage sale "moving forward"

· JtA to ask Laura to addJtA as "added insured"

· Owe Rich $1,500 for rent

· JtA to participate in Eth-Noh-Tec

6. Actions to be Taken

It was unanimously decided to take the following actions:

Do Robert's event/Eth-Noh-Tec

7. New Business/Issues

Possible open discussion with the community to seek help about the future direction of JtA

(possibly going towards a non-profit statu). Collective vs non-profit status

8. Agenda for Next Meeting

The following items need to be discussed at the next meeting:

House Keeping

APILO – contact made with Laura

Collective vs non-profit status

Based on today's meeting and other issues at hand, we hope to reach decisions concerning:

Open Studio Update

9. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm by Rich. Date for next general meeting 4/26/11 at 6:00 p.m.

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES: 4/26/11

2011-04-27T22:12:00.001-07:00

J-Town Arts Workshop
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES: 4/26/11

The following is an account of the minutes taken at the monthly meeting held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on April 26, 2011 at JtA Workshop, 1830 Sutter Street.

1. Attendees
PRESENT: Holly Calica, Rich Takeshi, Leon Sun

ABSENT: Peter Yamamoto, Sabrena Taylor & Leland Wong

2. Reason for the Meeting/Agenda

This meeting was held to discuss the following items:

o Eth-Noh-Tec
o APILO-rent update contact with Laura
o Rent/Garage Sale, Workshop Donations Update
o House Keeping
o NJAHS art exhibit update
o Open Studio Update
o End of Month Art Sale
o non-profit/collective status
o Facebook
o Meridian Gallery Update
3. Approval of Agenda: we decided to hold approval of minutes until next meeting because only three of us attended & Holly had to read minutes from her cell phone

4. Topics, Discussion & Key Decisions

The following items were put on hold to discuss at our next meeting:

o non-profit/collective status
o Facebook
o APILO-rent & insurance with Laura (pending)
o House Keeping
The following items were discussed:

o Rent/Garage Sale, Workshop Donations Update
o Open Studio Update
o Eth-Noh-Tec
o End of Month Art Sale
o NJAHS art exhibit update
o Meridian Gallery Update

a. Rent/Garage Sale, Workshop Donations Update
b. Total Garage Sales = $463.00
c. Workshop Donations = $186.00
d. Total $649.00 checks to be turned in to APILO by Rich
b. ArtSpan Open Studio Check-In
a. Rich & Leon cannot do Open Studios in October; Holly to call Leland & others to see if they are interested; deadline approaches
c. Eth-Noh-Tec (Report from Leon)
a. "Salon! You're On!" Artists from the Heart: fundraiser for N. Japan Earthquake Relief Fund flyers distributed by Leon
b. Event is on Saturday, May 21st, sale starts at 5 pm
c. Robert Kikuchi-Ynogo to get 10% (per Rich & Leon) to cover his costs for event & balance to go to Japan. Artists can cover their costs and make further donations to Japan and/or JtA if they decide to.
d. There is a second room to hang work; Leon is going to see space (Nihonmachi Terrace) this Thursday, April 28th @ 4pm
e. Rich will check into borrowing NJAHS' panels
d. End of Month Art Sale (Report from Leland via phone call)
a. Leon discussed logistics problem of storing artwork, receiving artwork, returning artwork, etc… also a house keeping prior to sale & afterwards… no decisions on this yet…
b. Leland gave many explanations, but we hardly understood the phone call; Rich thought that was the most Leland ever spoke at a meeting… what we think we heard was:
i. Leon & Leland will draft a flyer together
ii. A general call will be sent out to artists in which artists can make "quickly" paintings, drawings, prints, whatever, to sell @ the end of every month
iii. Leland discussed bringing extra panels
iv. Not everyone needs to be there to participate
v. 25% of sales goes to JtA
vi. dropoff/pickup of work???
vii. Leland is the host
viii. Dates recorded for end of month sale= 5/29, 6/26, 7/31, 8/28, 9/25, 10/30, 11/27
ix. We're not certain about Leland's "Men Monday Art Group" yet….
e. NJAHS art exhibit update & discussion
a. "Deep Roots, New Shoots" Exhibit will have two parts:
i. Part 1: First Show (August-September) Call for artists will be limited: Only the artists that participated in the December 2010 show and/or a JAM artist from the past may participate. We want to limit the number of artists so that the quality of new work can be highlighted. Leon already has a huge piece in process. These artists represent the "Deep Roots."
ii. Part 2: Second Show (December) New artists that are attending workshops @ JtA and or participating in our activities. Any work that we were unable to include in the first show. This will be a general call for artists, but in particular, those who fit the bill of "New Shoots."
iii. Leon will draft a summary of the theme of "Deep Roots, New Shoots" for us to include in the Call for Artists.
iv. The call for artists must include an artist statement which includes these questions:
1. What is the relationship the artist has with JAM or JtA?
2. What artwork is the artist exploring now?
3. What does JtA mean to you now?
v. The call for artists also needs to include guidelines for submittal of media via internet with titles, dimensions, display considerations, digital image (300 dpi jpeg)
vi. Holly will receive submissions @ pinaymujer@gmail.com.
vii. The core group of Leon, Holly, Sabrena, Pete, Rich & Leland will be the curating committee for acceptance/rejection of all pieces submitted.
viii. Rich will draw a floor plan and get the correct dates from Roz @ NJAHS.
ix. We need to check into proper display for sculptures and/or mixed media displays. (ex: Chester's work)
x. We need someone to write the history of JAM and how it evolved into JtA for our main text @ the exhibit.
f. Meridian Gallery Announcement
a. Leon announced that artists can participate in upcoming print sale organized by Art Hazelwood at the Meridian Gallery; gallery takes 50% (is that right?), but gallery is in a prime location & gets lots of traffic. Leon said to check your emails about it.
5. Agenda for Next Meeting

o non-profit/collective status
o Facebook
o APILO-rent & insurance with Laura (pending)
o House Keeping
o Eth-Noh-Tec
o End of Month Art Sale
o NJAHS art exhibit update
o Meridian Gallery Update

6. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm by Rich. Date for next general meeting is Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Phoenix Rising

2011-04-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Designed by our very own Leland Wong, it's 20' wide and 7 1/2' tall, and depicts a bad-assed phoenix, a brilliantly colored giant mythological bird that supposedly rises out of and soars above the ashes of tragedy. Dedicated to the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the backdrop also has Leland-like cranes and tidal waves and a huge red sun emerging out of the sea. It's impressive art, and by the way, he used the workshop in which to create this creature (It shows you why it's important to support our JtA workshop ;o)...

-Rich

Images from the prep to finish...done in four days at JTA.

Monday evening: Sitting at the workshop, not sure of what image we wanted. Finally did this sketch.

Tuesday evening: After buying paint and a failed car starter...While Sabrina's Writers Workshop was meeting, we quietly began penciling in the artwork. We did the keylines into the night and morning.

Wednesday evening: We began coloring in.

Thursday evening: we continued blocking in the color areas.

Friday evening: Touch up and detailing. Finished by 3:30 am

Saturday morning: The background mural was up by 10am

To be enjoyed by all.
In memory of all the victims of the earthquake/tsunami.

Garage Sale on April 16th Report

2011-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

4/18/11

Everybody,

The garage sale was a modest success. We made close to $500, which is the most we’ve made on a garage sale to date. I say “modest” because our first art sale, last December, made over $700 for the workshop, and that was just a percentage of what the artists netted. We’re not in the money, yet, being that we owe back-rent to the tune of $1,500, but I think our heads are beginning to wrap around the idea of money, making money, net profits, getting paid, etc. And that’s the bottom line…

I have to thank all the garage sale donors: Betty Kano, Sharon Senzaki, Wes and Lynn Nihei, Emy Hynes, Roberta Berteau, Kenny Yamada, Boku Kodama, Don and Aiko Murase, Sabrena Taylor, Kay Onishi, Mary Kyono, Michi Tashiro, Yoshiko Kitawaki, Tai Tokeshi and Abbey Kairns, Jack and Debby Sugawara, Mary Matsuno, Kay Nomura, and Mary Kawano (If I missed anyone, I’m sorry - catch you next time!). As for pricing and set up: Thanks to Sabrena Taylor, Sean Andrakin-Hall, Lynn, Wes, and Max Nihei, and Debby and Jack Sugawara. On the day of the sale: Big thanks to Lynn Nihei, Kay Nomura, Pete Yamamoto, Sabrena Taylor, Dave Murai, Stephanie Lowe, Vickie Kawakami, Holly Calica, and students in Betty Kano’s S.F. State class: Sean Andrakin-Hall, Marco Franz D. Samson, and Yudai Ito. Also, thanks to Marco’s friend from San Jose State, Maria Huang. Thanks to Grace Horikiri for helping to get the word out.

We didn’t get as much help from the workshop artists this time out – but we artistes have been meeting and planning our own events. Look for upcoming art sales and exhibits, especially our big art exhibit “Deep Roots, New Shoots,” coming to the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), in August. The next event we’re participating in will take place at Hinode Tower (1615 Sutter St.) on the evening of May 21st. Organized by Eth-no-tec, it will feature performance art, as well as artisan booths. We’ll have one of the artisan booths, and a percentage of our sales will benefit the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund.

Take care, everybody, and see you soon!

-Rich

GARAGE SALE!!!

2011-03-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

This is to officially inform you that the JapanTown Arts garage sale that was scheduled for March 26th has been postponed. We decided to have it in April on the weekend of the Cherry Blossom Parade. A LOT more foot traffic at that time. See you then!

Take care,
Rich

P.S. - Let me know if you have donations for the sale, and I will come to pick up (415-418-0441).

Day of Remembrance 2011

2011-02-20T05:41:00.000-08:00

Postcard design by THE HULK!

Dog's Best Friend

2011-02-20T05:37:00.001-08:00

Leon the human.

NEW YEAR POEM FOR 2011 by Pete K. Yamamoto

2011-02-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Written Sunday, December 2, 2011.

The dawn of a new year this evening as I sit writing,
Swirling mists of despair and loss in the past year.
Everywhere it seems that the Right has advanced
Tea Party and Republicans abounding with glee and meanspiritedness

Anger on the streets and on the buses
Anger turned inward against our brethren
Not outward against the establishment
The lip curled in selfish anger and conceit

Where we forget the watchwords of hope and
The feeling of controlling our own destiny
Always this forgetfulness
Letting the loose ends gather into undone works

How many times did I feel that I missed the Brothers
Who kept me strong
And who always did what had to be done
And which now it is up to us to do in their absence.

And I spoke of the need to have belief
That there was something to being spiritual without being religious
This feeling of purpose and drive
That it is O.K. to “believe”

Somewhere there will be jobs for all
And medical care that is not out of reach for the many
Where a good education is a right and not a privilege of the wealthy
Where people can fine peace of mind and a common love of their fellow humanity.

I wanted to speak of the bonds between a people and their sustenance crop
“Kome,” or rice
Through centuries of backbreaking labor to grow it,
Harvest it and feel the earth between the hands in the growth

To have it exist as a medium of exchange
Of a kind of money,
The reward of hard labor
Like the soil of the fertile Kanto Plain.
Of strong women working alongside their men,
With babies on their backs
Handkerchief around the head
Bent low under the hot sun toiling

The thought of a peasant economy
A thing of the past
With its rural simplicity
Replaced by the urban workplace and machinery and tall buildings

Now I sit in these cold cold winter days
In 21st Century America
The only thing I can control is my own hands
I cannot even control my own mind

Sometimes it flies off into far islands of fancy
Unable to deal with what has to be dealt with
And under the threat of crushing defeat
I say that we can control only that which we ourselves can manipulate

Like the farmer who plants his rice field
Who cuts down the grown rice
Bundle by bundle
Whose wife cooks the rice and cleans the pot every night

And raises the children the best they know how
To grow strong and proud and free
And learned and tender and inquisitive
The ocean wave splashed heartily over the exposed rock on the craggy shoreline

And I keep coming back to her
Sitting at the window of a rain-driven day
With her dog in her lap
Gazing out into the watery storm through the pane of clouded window glass.

Black hair falling into bangs on a fair face
Looking steadfastly out into the night
The yellow headlights of passing cars in the driving raindrops
I know that the only way is to move forward on unsteady footsteps.

Who knows what the New Year will bring?
The past year was the fierce year of the tiger
And the coming year is that of a slight rabbit
Maybe the rabbit knows something?

Though 2010 was a terrible year of recession and unemployment and foreclosure
Of war and continued race hatred
Of Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck
We will persevere and in our each own small way

We shall overcome

I am tired
At the young age of 56 I am tired
But I tell myself that if I try to live right,
I can control what I can control

And so take heart
As I tell myself to take heart
To rise up again each day
To decide to live over dying

That everything will be all right
And that if enough people do the right thing
That maybe someday all of us together in a mighty storm
Will create the changes that will ensure our collective happiness

And so I wish you a Happy New Year
May this New Year be a better one than the last
Very quietly and simply
Happy New Year……..

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu…….

Peter Kenichi Yamamoto

J-town Arts invites you to be a Woman Making Art

2011-02-01T00:41:00.001-08:00

J-town Arts invites you to be a Woman Making Art

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 (6-9 pm)

1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA

Each month, we will bring our own materials and ideas to create an art filled Year of the Rabbit ~ During our first session, we will observe a silkscreen demonstration of the 2011 Oshogatsu Festival t-shirt design by J-Town Artist, Leon Sun ~ Bring a t-shirt to receive a free New Year’s Rabbit Design ~ Bring your art materials, snacks or drink and get ready to make art ~

FYI ~ I'll have some pastels & paints, but bring the media of your choice ~ maybe you'd rather carve, weave, sew or bead ~ just as long as we're creating, it'll be a good thing ~

($5-10 donations accepted for space usage)

For any questions ~ call me @ 415-235-6479

Happy New Year!

Holly Calica

J-town Arts

2011-01-01T10:20:00.001-08:00

Page 1/1
JAPANTOWN ARTS NOTES

Holiday-time
12/31/10

The Art Sale earlier this month went well. Participating artists included Nancy Hom, Zand Gee, Leland Wong, Chester Yoshida, Betty Kano, Sabrena Taylor, Holly Calica, Leon Sun, and myself. Also, JtA’s screenprinting class members also sold some their hand-printed stuff, and donated all proceeds to the workshop, so thanks to Vickie Kawakami and her friends. Sales-wise, we did fairly well, especially for it being our first attempt at this, and better than any previous garage sale. Plus it was just good to see everyone again, especially Zand and Chester, and I think we’re agreed that we should have more art sales in the future. Like Leland said, this is something we SHOULD be doing – selling our art.

The reception for the sale went well, too. Pete Yamamoto did a great job as emcee, and poets who read included Pete, Sabrena, Leon, Nancy, and Enya Barcelon. Most of the participating artists also helped at the event, and Betty Kano sent her students at SF State to help: Daniela, Daniella, Cory, Justin, and Enya. Sharon Senzaki helped A LOT, and Holly and Sabrena were EXCEPTIONAL in their leadership roles.

The Dec. 11th Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Fair went O.K. Again, we had a modest amount of sales. All in all, we did all right this year, but we’ll knock ‘em dead next year (after selling all our stuff, of course)!

Right now, we’re focused on the Oshogatsu Festival, which is coming up on Jan. 8th. As you probably know, we always do a T-shirt screenprinting demonstration (“Bring your own shirt!”), and judge the Children’s Art Contest (“Year of the Rabbit” :). Judging of the artwork will be done Friday evening, at JCCCNC, in Kimochi’s dining hall, at around 6 pm (You don’t have to be an artist). The set-up for the screenprinting will begin on Saturday at 10 am. If you can help at all, let me know right away with an email or phone call (415-418-0441). Even if you can’t help out this time, drop in on the festival anyway, at least for a little while, and enjoy the good vibes for the new year. It’s at JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter, in the gymnasium, from 11 am until 4 pm.

Happy New Year, everybody! Hope it’s a good one for all of us!

-Rich

December 8th Meeting Notes by Leon

2010-12-13T15:01:00.001-08:00

Hi y'all,

Here are the notes from our last meeting. Please add anything I may have missed and feel free to comment.

My comments:

1) I suggest we clean up the garage sale stuff before the end of the year so we can start fresh in the new year.

2) Start the year with building up the gallery - buy doors to make NJAHS-style panels? Get donations? I suggest we use some of our art -sales money to buy panels and hardware (hinges, etc).

3) Given the time frame of the Border Wall show (art due Feb 15) and everything else I gotta do, I won't have time to silkscreen the poster, so if we want to do a silkscreen workshop, it'll have to be for something else.

4) Holly - you and I follow up on the students for the video/film night stuff?
Pete - on the writers' workshop? Sabrena - Open Mike idea? Combine with writers? Include folks from other communities?

5) Think about what to show at Mirkarimi's office.

Next meeting: Report on garage sale junk and clean-up, status of display panels. Talk about what to show at Mirkarimi's office (in May), Oshogatsu. Let's throw out some dates for a meeting, with food again! 1st week in January? Other items for the agenda?

Cheers, and Happy Holidays if I don't see you! Rich, you and I can sort the junk in the next few days? I'm flex.

Leon

Holiday Arts Faire at J-Town Arts

2010-12-09T05:24:00.000-08:00

We're feeling pretty jazzed about our Holiday Art Sale event. Got lots of new energy on board and we seemed to have reconnected with the community. Hope we can keep the momentum going.

The students were great. btw, let's stop calling them "kids"! I think we can do more of these kinds of events and hopefully start a snowball effect of community interest and support.

So... when shall we meet again to clean-up, parcel out the loot and brainstorm for other ideas. One on the table already - film/video night, get some display panels and do more shows - bring in young adults, old adults and newbie artists and, of course, continue the classes and resume the writers workshop.

Does anyone know how to find out what corporations, banks, etc that donate old office furniture? We're thinking of office cubicle dividers that can be used for hanging art work. And maybe we can actually section off an office area. Hopefully the bureaucracy doesn't become bigger than the artspace.

(based on an original e-mail from Leon Sun)

Testing

2010-12-07T01:07:00.000-08:00

Remote posting via email ... Testing

Sent from my iPhone

Give A Bit of Heart--JTA Holiday Art Sale

2010-11-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

Save some money & buy ART!!! On December 4th & 5th from 11 am - 5 pm you can purchase art from local Asian American Artists and keep the arts alive in J-Town!!!

Last Garage Sale of the Year!

2010-10-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

JapanTown Arts Workshop presents

THE
LAST
GARAGE SALE
(OF THE YEAR)

9 am – 4 pm / Saturday, October 23, 2010
We’re located at 1830 Sutter St. (near Buchanan)

JapanTown Arts (JTA) Workshop is a community-based
art workshop serving the Asian communities in the San
San Francisco Bay Area. Come to our garage sale for
some great bargains, and support our workshop.
If you have items to donate to the sale, call
Rich at (415) 418-0441.

JAPANTOWN ARTS NOTES

10/6/10

Hey everybody,

Some notes to get you all up to date about the upcoming garage sale on Oct. 23rd: First of all, I did several flyers, one of which is above. If you want to help us get the word out, make copies of it, pass them out to friends and post in your local public places (The other flyer has a still life drawing I did of some of the sale items. You may see it around if you’re in or around J-Town).

We’re not doing so hot on donated items, so if you have some things to donate (saleable items, please, including books, women’s clothing, and cookware – but no computers or printers), give me a call and we’ll figure out how to get your stuff to the workshop (my phone number is 415-418-0441.). I have access to a big van so I’m capable of picking up large items or vast quantities of boxed donations (Thanks, Genny, for the women’s clothing. I assume that was you who dropped off those boxes at Kimochi).

As you may or may not know, I have a screenprinting workshop that meets, more or less, every month. They’re from the East Bay, and several of them have said they’d like to help at the garage sale, and may have things to donate. I’m going to try to coordinate with Kenny and Boku (you guys listening?) so I can pick up all the East Bay garage sale donations at the same time.

I had this bright idea right after the last garage sale of asking my Kimochi elderly friends for items. Well, I’ve been doing that, but so far not very much response. They’re either feverishly boxing a lot of stuff and waiting to tell me until they’ve finished, or, more likely, shining me on. Anyway, not so much doing on that front.

Lastly, I went to a great party in El Cerrito last week. I mention that because there was a group of musicians there who jammed beautifully together, and in the course of the evening, I found out that the party (it was a “Pau Hana” party, meaning “after work”) was thrown because the people who hosted it felt overworked and needed a party. Now they’re looking for a reason to have another one. I suggested to them in an email the next day that our garage sale could be a reason! These are great folks who have ties in J-Town: Kathy Momii, her husband Rick Palapaz, and her mom Molly. There’s also Wesley Ueunten, the Okinawan musician and SF State professor, and Grace Shimizu, who has been working on Justice for Japanese Peruvians forever (it seems). Anyway, I told them in the email that we usually have a barbecue during the garage sale for all the workers, but for this coming one we could start the barbecue later in the afternoon, and have a “Pau Hana” party, SF-style, after we close the garage sale. Grace has emailed her reply that she’d like to come, but she has a commitment in San Jose and wouldn’t be able to make it over until evening. Haven’t heard from the others, but let’s plan on partying after the garage sale, O.K? Pete, Sabrena, Doug, and others, get your poems and other writings together and ready to perform. Our San Francisco J-Town Pau Hana party will start when the garage sale ends, at 4 pm. It’s POTLUCK, with the workshop providing the barbecue, barbecue fixings, and some non-alcoholic drinks.

Take care, everybody, and see you soon!

-Rich

Lao Iu Mien -- Panwang Festival Dance

2010-09-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant Workers Dish on Employers - The Bay Citizen

2010-09-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Chinese Restaurant Workers Dish on Employers - The Bay Citizen

Announcements

2010-09-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

Everybody,

I have three announcements: 1.) We have to have a JapanTown Arts garage sale, and pretty soon before we run into the rainy season. Let's have it on Saturday, October 23rd. I'll be out of town the week before (Oct. 16), so unless there's strong objection, I'm thinking Oct. 23. All logistics are the same as always - we'll set up in the parking lot at 1830 Sutter St. We'll open at 9 am and keep selling until 4 pm or we're sold out. Let me know if you have stuff to sell (only good SALEABLE stuff!) and I'll come and pick it up. On Friday night, the night before the sale, we'll do the pricing and organizing of all items. Email me or call me (415-418-0441) if you can sign up for a two hour shift on Saturday, Oct. 23rd (from 9 am until 4 pm), or if you can help with pricing on Fri. We'll have a small barbeque for everyone who helps with the garage sale.

2.) We're participating in the Kimochi Silver Bells Arts & Crafts Fair on Dec. 11. We got an offer I couldn't refuse (a free booth). Kimochi has generously sponsored our participation for the past 3 years or so, so let's do it...

3.) the historic play about Angel Island detainees - "Paper Angels" - is playing in Portsmouth Square @ Clay and Kearny for free this week, on Wed., Thu., and Fri. (Sep. 15-17), starting at around 7:00 pm each night. Although Genny Lim wrote it "back in the day," it's still very emotionally charged, and still relevant. Besides, it's being presented on an outdoor venue in the heart of Chinatown. Perfect. It will be a great multimedia event!

-Rich

Chinatown!

2010-08-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

We met over a scrumptious meal at Pork Chop House to discuss a new project.

We are in the process of putting together a project of serigraphs on the subject of San Francisco Chinatown. Here is the first draft of the project description:

Chinatown means a lot of things to a lot of people. This show represents what three individual artists think of and feel about Chinatown. Leland Wong is a Chinatown native. Leon Sun is an immigrant – a legal earthling – who landed in the U.S. when he was eighteen. Rich Tokeshi, a sansei who hails originally from Chicago, has lived most of his adult life in San Francisco. (Individual bios to follow.)

To all three artists, Chinatown imparts distinct and special meaning. [expand on this, get a short paragraph from each person]

All three came to know each other through their art and activism in the Asian American Movement of the 70s and 80s. They are members of Japantown Arts (JtA), heir to Japantown Art and Media (JAM) Workshop which was known for its vibrant silkscreened posters, community arts workshops and services. As with Kearney Street Workshop, JAM was a place where many current, working Asian American artists cut their teeth.
Today JtA continues to produce Asian community-based art. In 2005, facing a possible “second redevelopment” of Japantown, JtA artists produced the print exhibit, “J-town Forever,” hosted by the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS). An extended exhibit, “J-town Forever II” followed in 2006. In addition to RT, LS, LW, Tai Tokeshi and Graham Haynes also participated.

Now LW, LS and RT turn their focus to Chinatown. Unlike its Japanese American counterpart, Chinatown does not face threats to its physical survival. Indeed, as long as the Chinese diaspora continues, Chinatown will continue to grow. In the momentum of survival, “change is good.” But change also highlights the need for continuity. Somewhere in the balance lies the story of the community. Scholars can speculate on it, politicians can argue over it but artists can offer special insight by focusing on the specific and the actually experienced.

The work in this show is therefore rooted in the personal experiences of the artists – whether it’s memories of growing up in Chinatown, recollections of a particular period in the artist’s life when Chinatown made a big impact, or a reverence for those who have since moved on.

In the spirit of making art from, for and of the community, we, at J-town Arts are going directly to the community for support. There are many ways in which you may become involved and give your support:

Party at Japantown Arts

2010-06-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We have decided to have a party for Japantown Arts and the recent visit to San Francisco by Jim Dong and Gail Aratani. The date and time are June 19, Saturday, at 6:30 p.m. The place is our space at Nihonmachi Little Friends building, 1830 Sutter Street. It will be potluck. Let's get together to celebrate and enjoy the company of Jim and Gail. Bring food and drink. Bring poems and stories. We will have posters from Japantown Arts in our workshop on display. Let's just have a good time and not worry about making money or anything heavy like meeting a deadline or something. Let's just relax and have fun. See you there!!!! Tell all your friends!!!

Pete Yamamoto

Notes from 4/20/10 JTA meeting

2010-05-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

1. Fundraising – In order to pay rent (and more if we want to set up a computer and a telephone), we need to be raising money. Some ideas: Leon says we can take on graphic design jobs, which he can do on his computer at home. He also raised the idea of “movie night,” which would have to be done at his house. I proposed the idea of an art sale to make money by selling off some of our old posters. We can do screenprinting demos at schools and other venues, like what we do at Oshogatsu, except that we need to get PAID for it! We’ve done a few demos at Rosa Parks School and last month did screenprinting at Chinatown Community Development Center, but what we need to do is get the word out more that we are available for this kind of service, and get paid for it.

2. Youth Screenprinting Workshop – If we can submit a curriculum and budget right away, I’m pretty sure APILO will still want us to conduct a screenprinting workshop as part of their summer youth program. A month and a half ago, Dean asked me if we would do it, and Leland, Leon and I are not in a position to say no, but since we haven’t come up with the necessary information (curriculum and budget), the opportunity may be gone. I’m trying to figure out a curriculum right now, as I’m typing this.

3. Classes – I’m pretty much set on starting to teach drawing class at JCCCNC. The reason for this is the Center has a large mailing list, and I’m bound to get a number of students enrolled in the class, unlike at JTA. I’ll donate my share of class fees to JTA. Leon will update our class flyer, and we’ll see if anyone signs up this time around. As you remember, on last year’s flyer, we offered four classes: two drawing classes, a photography class, and our poetry workshop.

4. Classes sponsored through Kimochi – I didn’t remember to bring this up at the meeting, but I’ve also been talking to Kimochi (Steve Nakajo) about starting a class for older Sansei. There may be funding available for such a class – Kimochi funded art classes for their seniors long ago (Mitsu Yashima’s portrait drawing and watercolor classes were funded in this way), but that may be a thing of the past. I’m continuing to talk to Steve Nakajo and Steve Ishii about it.

5. Garage sale – We’re set to do our last garage sale on Saturday, May 22, 2010. We’ll need lots of help, of course. Grace, can you post the announcement of our sale on Craig’s List for us a week before the event? Everybody, let me know if you have good, “sale-able” items that I can come to pick up. Also, everybody, but especiallyWes and Lynn, can you help price items on Friday, May 21st, the night before the sale? I may also be calling on some of you to help with the barbecue, which we always have in conjunction with our sale. We’ll start the garage sale at 9 am, and go until 4 pm, unless, of course, everything is sold before then!

Is that it? Did I forget anything? Email me if you can remember anything else of relevance, or to comment on any of the above. And save May 22nd for the garage sale! By the way, we’ve paid up rent on the workshop through April 2010.

-Rich Tokeshi, April 24, 2010.

APILO Youth Summer Screen Printing Workshop

2010-05-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I sent out the attachment of what Leon and I had been discussing about the APILO Youth Screenprinting Workshop, but it turns out the budget part, which I added later, was not in the attachment. I don't know why that happened. Anyway, here is the attachment again, hopefully with the budget this time.

Leland: the budget includes $250 for each day of instruction - in other words, three days of instruction times $250, or $750. On top of that, I have $400 for "extra services & supplies," which includes inks, cleaning supplies, film positives, screen prepping and burning, and polyester for the screens. Does that sound like enough? Remember, it's for 4 or 5 designs, each one being a maximum of 10"x16." You'll have three days to get the positives done, and then probably 2 days to prep and burn the screens.

-Rich

Youth Screenprinting Project Notes

Overview
On the first day of the summer youth program, we will select 4 or 5 drawings to be made into screened prints. These drawings will be scanned and electronically sent to a photo-reproduction shop which will return a “film positive” (a positive reproduction of the image on clear acetate) of the main image (“key-line”) within several days. In the meantime, students will make “cut-stencils” to add color to the key-line image. Each color will require a separate cut-stencil. Each stencil will be used to screen a “run.” Colors will be screened one by one, lightest color to darkest color, with the last run being the key-line image. Screening will take place on the last two days of the program.

Drawing/Design
We will choose drawings that we feel can most successfully be reproduced by screenprinting. The printing will be on 11”x17” white poster stock. Drawings should be turned in on the first day of the summer program. You should ideally use black ink. Screenprinting is not conducive to subtle soft-edged media such pencil.

Colors
You can use more that one color. Each color that you choose, however, requires a separate cut-stencil. Cut stencil is dry stencil that comes with a clear acetate backing that can be cut with a sharp exacto blade. Care should be taken to cut through the stencil without cutting through the acetate backing. Affter the stencil is finished being cut, the stencil is moistened and adhered to the screen. After drying, the acetate backing is then peeled off, leaving the stencil image on the screen, ready for printing.

Production
All students will participate in the screenprinting process. Each design (drawing) will have a printing crew, with the artist being the crew captain. Production will take place on the last two days of the program. Crew captains will be in charge of scheduling a time for screening each run, with each run taking one to two hours. Screening will be at the Japan Town Arts (JTA) Workshop at 1830 Sutter St. Tasks include: Cutting and adhering the color stencils, pre-production set-up, post-production clean-up, screening, feeding, and hanging.

Budget
3 days of instruction @ $250 per day: $750.
Extra services & supplies: $400 for 5 quarts of ink, 5 film positives (10”x16”) polyester mesh, clean-up supplies, and screen prepping and burning.

Total: $1,150

-The staff at JTA Workshop

Al Robles Passing -- First Anniversary

2010-05-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

There will be an informal drop-in gathering/memorial open mic at the International Hotel's Manilatown Center on Sunday, May 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon. I just heard about this. Hope you can find time to drop by. Al is still with us.

Pete Yamamoto

PETE YAMAMOTO READS HIS POETRY!

2010-05-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I have been selected as one of the San Francisco poets winnners of the "Poets Eleven" contest in San Francisco for 2010. This is a contest started by former Poet Laureate of San Francisco Jack Hirschman and is sponsored by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. In this contest three poets from each of the eleven supervisorial districts in San Francisco are chosen to be published in an anthology, reading at the S.F. Public Library and receiving a small honorarium.

I am inviting you to an event and a reading by all of us poets of the "Poets Eleven" to be held at the Koret Auditorium of the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library on May 8, Saturday, from 1:00-4:00 (or 5:00 I can't remember). It is a long program and I'm sorry I don't know when I will be reading but I was chosen from District 3 and if they go in numerical order by district I should be near the top. If they go by alphabetical order I'm sunk (ha-ha). If you have time, come out and hear us read. Hope to see you there!!!

Pete Yamamoto

Our Inventory

2010-03-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

Here's an inventory of water-based poster inks we have at the workshop:
1/2 gal. black (Nazdar 2724)
1/2 gal. super opaque white (Nazdar 2775)
1 qt. medium yellow (Nazdar 2712)
1 qt. ultra blue (Nazdar 2722)
1 qt. peacock blue (Nazdar 2721)
1/2 qt. fire red (Nazdar 2719)
1/4 qt. brilliant blue (Ink Dezyne)
1/4 qt. emerald green (Ink Dezyne)

Other supplies:
3/4 gal. heavy duty screen wash (Nazdar 2738)
3/4 gal. thinner (Nazdar 2732)
3/4 gal. retarder (Nazdar RE192)

We also have one of your screens, approx. 30" x 40." Also, I forgot to check, but I think we have the equivalent of one full roll of blue plastic screenprint tape and at least half a package of cotton wipes.

Us at the Oshogatsu Festival

2010-01-20T02:31:00.000-08:00

Here we are...printing shirts again at the annual Oshogatsu Festival at the JCCCNC in J'Town on December 9, 2010. We've been doing this since the days of JAM Workshop. Is that over thirty years???

...and what's Oshogatsu without the Mochitsuki:

KIMOCHI'S SILVER BELLS ARTS & CRAFTS FAIRE

2009-12-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

We'll be at Silver Bells Arts and Crafts Faire

Where we'll sell our wares

Be there

or be square

KIMOCHI'S SILVER BELLS ARTS & CRAFTS FAIRE

Sunday, December 13, 2009 (one day only!)

10 AM – 4 PM

The Event Center at St. Mary’s Cathedral
1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Conveniently located at the corner of Gough St. & Geary Blvd., walking distance from Japantown.

Free Admission • Free Parking (space available basis)

Free Kimochi shuttle service to/from Japantown
(pick-up/drop-off at Peace Plaza on Post St.)

Contact Person: Emily Hsieh • (415) 931-2294 or ehsieh@kimochi-inc.org

For a complete list of artisans, click here.

Mark your calendar and have fun as you get plenty of shopping done at this free one-day event featuring handcrafted items made by a record-breaking 83 talented Asian and Pacific Islander artisans.

[Note: Not all vendors accept credit/debit cards.]

Headlands, Monday Morning

2009-11-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

O'Sullivan 5402 High Gloss Epoxy Wet Surface Liner

2009-10-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

If you want to know who carries O'Sullivan 5402 High Gloss Epoxy Wet Surface Liner $75.20 a gallon, you can get it at

VARNI-LITE COATINGS, 21595 CURTIS STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94545

USES: Presses, bottling lines, crushers, walls, floors, tanks pads, industrial equipment, interior / exterior wine tanks - metal and concrete

COLOR: White, Gray, Wine Press Yellow, Black, Tile Red , Clear, Special tints by request.

COVERAGE: 400 Square feet per gallon average.

FINISH: High gloss

DRYING TIME: Set to touch one hour. Recoat 4 to 32 hours.

FLASH POINT: 80º F

THINNER: O’Sullivan 5409 Epoxy Thinner

SURFACE PREPARATION: Steel surfaces must be sandblasted to remove mill scale, and all surfaces must be chemically clean and free of grease, dirt, dust, and residual coatings. Can be self-priming or prime with 5-334 Primer surfacer. May be used on bare wood. Steel should be sandblasted and treated with vinyl wash primer or epoxy primer 5424 before applying 2 coats of 5402.

APPLICATION: Spray gun, roller, or brush.

METHOD OF APPLICATION: Component A should be mixed before adding component B. Mechanical mixing is always preferred. Mix for 5 minutes with equal volume of component B. Set aside and do not use for one hour. VERY IMPORTANT ! From this point the mixture will have a limited useable working life. (if necessary to use thinner, it must be added after the one-hour time period). Mix again for five minutes. Pot life at 70º F is 6-8 hours. 2 or 3 thin coats of 5402 should be applied with one day between coats to allow for solvent release. Allow five days curing time and wash well with warm water before using.

RESISTS: Water, acids, alkali, oils, wine and most spirits.

CAUTION: Area should be well ventilated. User should wear approved respiratory mask when spraying. This epoxy must not be applied in temperatures below 55º F. Check actual surface temperature. Do not use near open flame, sparks or other sources of ignition. FLAMMABLE MIXTURE. Keep away from children.

I use this stuff to make wooden darkroom sinks and wash out booths for screenprinting workshops since 1975 at the old Kearny Street Workshop. It's great stuff. Roy Anderson Paint Company used to carry this in the city. They have since folded up and now I have to go all the way to pick it up in Hayward. Varni-lite's phone number is 510.887.8997. Call them a day before so that they can pull the order.

The Last Garage Sale--October 24, 2009

2009-09-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Our last garage sale of the year (and maybe ever) will be on OCTOBER 24TH, starting at 9 am, and going until everything's sold.
(Or 4 pm, whichever comes first ;) As always, it will be in the parking lot of 1830 Sutter, site of JapanTown Arts. Grace, can you post the information on Craig's List? Thanks... Let's make this one a rousing success!!!

-Rich

SPACING AND FIGHTING AND THINKING

2009-08-27T02:22:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Hokubei Mainichi)

Reading over the lines of a dead poet.
Listening to your hushed song
Your rythms and your imagery,
Bobbing and weaving like a prize fighter.

Singing your songs from beyond the grave.
So much to teach us.
We, in our infantile state.
Your stature, so vast.

Young Asian youth so angry and defiant
He could be Filipino or Japanese or Chinese
Korean Thai Indonesian Vietnames Burmese
Fine young sister stands beside him.

In all our strengths and weaknesses
Old men who have worked all their lives for the man.
Women who have worked all their lives for the men.
Babies who will grow strong and proud.

You bob and weave from beyond the grave.
Teaching me once again to be human and more.
Love our peoples and the strengths within.
Defy shallowness and pettiness.

Our lives take us to higher and better planes
Our feet rooted in the soil of the world’s agriculture.
Hands lined with dirt and minds wracked with fatigue.
This song of ours in collectivity.

She sings in her folk voice the song of people.
Gently lulling me with her odes.
This compliments your combative feistiness.
The basic elements of sweaty life.

Dead Poet I cannot fill your shoes.
But perhaps I can add my voice to the crowd.
For I am a new Poet too.
An old man in a busy world.

We grow old together
You the perennially young man.
I with my eyes full of the labor of mankind
We see the hands the hands of strong men

The swirling skirts of smiling women.
Even the tattoo comes alive on the brown arm.
In my retreat I wonder if I still have the love and the sensitivity
That you have bestowed upon the world

Ever in your song
Your chant
Your dirge
Your music..

I humbly ask
That I can teach what needs to be taught.
The love of the land and the world.
Mother in shawl with baby under her arm.

And you bob and weave.
Like a gentle prizefighter
Telling us all the while
To love the simplicity of our human brethren

To hear the stories of the people.
The tears and the boasts.
The fisherman and the farmer and the factory worker
From around the globe.

Particularly from our beloved Asia.
Transplanted to America
With ties to the old country.
Sometimes we are sleeping and dreaming.

I dream of Japan
In lines of the old tongue
Newly learned in this mouth of an American born
We speak every language.

You never spoke in Tagolog
But you dreamed the dreams of the carabao.
Transplanted with rythms of jazz and blues
And our lives intersected with Brotherhood and laughter for life.

We know this life and the people who make it.
Ever driving humanity to hurdle the next hurdle
To climb the next rung of the ladder
The sensitivity of the young girl turning into a young woman.

I lose myself in so many words
Remembering you and reading your memorable lines
Dead Poet
We have the world to win.

I wish I could write the story of the people
Like you sang your chants about them.
With warmth and love and understanding
Like painting a painting—a river.

You were a great muralist of the spoken word
Moving through taxi-dances and strawberry fields
How I miss your love and your eyes.
This story of life.
Peter Kenichi Yamamoto August 20, 2009

2009-08-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

AWESOME!!!

2009-08-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

Thanks to all who hung out with us at the Street Fair. And in case you didn't make it over, let me say this: Leon and Stephanie's shrine to Al Robles was AWESOME!!!... Now it's time for classes and a garage sale.

This is our last garage sale, and we're looking to GET RID of stuff, not accumulate it, so only if you have stuff that you're SURE will sell, give me a call or drop me an email... Classes will start next month!!!

We're on the move! Help us when you can...

-Rich

Nihonmachi Street Fair

2009-08-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!!!!

Nihonmachi Streetfair is this weekend, August 8 and 9. Japantown Arts will be having a shrine for Al Robles and we were thinking of having a table and some chairs with it. Rich Tokeshi will be at the table and I will be there part time on Saturday. We would appreciate it if you could drop by and spend some time on either or both of those days. We will have a leaflet announcing classes for Japantown Arts. It would be nice to have a little bit of presence at Streetfair. I think the booth will be near Post and Buchanan Streets.

See you there!!!

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

JTA By-Laws Draft

2009-07-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

J-Town Arts BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME & OFFICES

Section 1: Name: The name of the organization shall be J-Town Arts.

Section 2: Offices:. The principle office of the corporation shall be at 1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94115. The corporation may also have offices at other places as determined by the board or required by the business.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES

Section 1: Purpose: J-Town Arts is a non-profit group of concerned Asian American artists whom see art as a very important integral part of the Japanese American community and the Asian American community at large. Our mission is to nurture, support, promote artists whose artworks reflect the history, lives and struggles of Asian Americans through workshops, projects, exhibitions and events.

J-Town Arts was formed to promote its mission through:

1. Presenting sponsored exhibitions of new and established artists that are open free to the public;

2. Conducting community events, often through partnerships, to generate community participation in the arts;

3. Conducting art projects, workshops and classes for people of all ages to enhance knowledge and encourage creative experimentation;

4. Providing low cost Graphics Services to non-profit community organizations.

Section 2: Non-profit: This corporation shall be a non-profit corporation, which shall not contemplate the distribution of gain, profit, or dividends to its members.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Qualifications: All persons without discrimination, who have an interest in the arts and support the mission of the organization, are welcome to join.

Section 2: Voting: Members in good standing who are members of the Board of Directors shall have a right to vote on all matters. A member who has paid the appropriate dues is a member in good standing.

Section 3: Nonvoting: The Board shall have the authority to establish and define nonvoting categories of membership.

Section 4. Dues: The Board may set dues schedules for memberships

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 1: Annual Meeting: The date of the regular annual meeting, held in May, shall be set by the Board of Directors who shall also set the time and place.

Section 2: Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the President, or by a simple majority of the Board of Directors, or by a 2/3 vote of the members.

Section 3: Notice: The secretary shall provide notice stating the time and place of each meeting to each member in good standing, not less than ten days before the meeting.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Board Role, Size & Composition: The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of J-Town Arts , and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Executive Director and committees. The Board shall have up to ten, and no fewer than five members. The board receives no compensation.

Section 2: Meetings: The Board shall meet at least monthly, at an agreed upon time and place.

Section 3: Board Elections: A slate of new Board members, prepared by the Nominating Committee, will be elected by the membership at the Annual Membership Meeting. The terms of office begins at the first regular Board Meeting following the Annual Membership Meeting.

Section 4: Terms: All Board members shall serve two-year terms, but are eligible for re-election. No board member shall serve more than three two-year terms, but may be nominated to rejoin the board after a hiatus of one year.

Section 5: Quorum: A majority of the Board is required at any Board meeting to conduct business. Approval of an action item requires affirmative votes from the majority of the quorum.

Section 6: Notice: An official Board meeting requires that each Board member be notified at least two weeks in advance.

Section 7: Other Meetings: Other meetings of the Board shall be called upon the request of the President or one-third of the Board. All board members must be notified of the meeting in advance.

Section 8: Resignation, Termination and Absences: A Board member may be considered to have resigned from the Board if he or she has three unexcused absences from Board meetings in a year. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a majority vote of the remaining directors.

Section 9: Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy on the Board during an unexpired term, a successor may be elected by the remaining Board members, to serve until the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI -- OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers: The officers of the Board shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 2. Nomination: The Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of officers to be approved by the Board .

Section 3. Election: Officers shall be elected at the annual membership meeting by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 4. Terms: The term of office for an officer of the Board of Directors is two years. An Officer may serve two consecutive terms, and may be re-elected to office after a hiatus of one year . The terms of office begins at the first regular board meeting following the Annual Membership Meeting.

Section 5. Duties: All officers shall have the usual powers associated with their office, and those duties specifically noted in the organization's Governing Policies.

Section 6. Removal: Any officer may be removed by the board with or without cause. The board at its discretion may appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.

Section 7. Resignation: Resignation from office must be in writing and received by the Secretary.

Section 8: Vacancies: The Board may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reason. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor and until his or her successor is chosen and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns, or is removed.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committees: The Board may create committees as needed. There shall be two standing committees - the Finance Committee and the Nominating Committee. The Board President appoints all committee chairs. Committee chairs must be members of the Board.

Section 2: Finance Committee: The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, a fundraising plan, and annual budget with staff and other Board members. The Board must approve the budget, and all expenditures must be within the budget. The Board must approve any major change in the budget. The financial records of the Corporation are public information and shall be made available to the membership, Board members and the public.

Section 3: Board Development Committee: A Board Development Committee shall be appointed by the Board to represent diverse aspects of the community. The Board Development Committee shall be responsible for developing nominees for board elections, board committees, and planning for board training and leadership development.

ARTICLE VIII - DIRECTOR AND STAFF

Section 1: Executive Director: The Executive Director is hired by and reports to the Board. The Executive Director has day-to-day responsibility for the Corporation, including carrying out the Corporation's goals and Board policy. The Executive Director will attend all Board meetings, report on the progress of the organization, answer questions of Board members and carry out the duties described in the job description. The Board may designate other duties as necessary.

Section 2: Staff: The Executive Director is responsible for hiring and supervising other staff, when position descriptions and salaries have been approved by the Board.

ARTICLE IX - FISCAL YEAR

Section 1: Year: The fiscal year of the corporation shall be the calendar year.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall determine changes to the fiscal year.

ARTICLE X - SEAL

Section 1: The seal of the corporation shall be as follows: (no image available).

ARTICLE XI - BOOKS

Section 1: Location: The books shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation, including a correct account of the activities and transactions of the corporation, and a copy of the by-laws and all minutes of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII - NON-DISCRIMINATION

Section 1: As a public arts organization, a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination is fundamental to our non-profit mission. Therefore, J-Town Arts does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other legally protected characteristic, in programming, services, staffing and volunteer needs.

ARTICLE XIII - INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1: J-Town Arts shall indemnify each current and former Director, Officer, Committee Chair and committee member from liability for acts or omissions within the course of his or her service to J-Town Arts to the full extent permitted by the California Non-Profit Corporation Act.

ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors, provided that the written text of the proposed amendment is sent to all directors prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION

Section 1: In the event this corporation shall be dissolved for any reason, any remaining assets shall be distributed in accordance with the corporate statutes of California State.

Draft July 26, 2009

Some Highlights from the JTA Future Meeting - Mission Statement

2009-07-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

A draft for mission statement (subject to change):

"J-Town Arts is a non-profit group of concerned Asian American artists whom see art as a very important integral part of the Japanese American community and the Asian American community at large. Our mission is to nurture, support, promote artists whose artworks reflect the history, lives and struggles of Asian Americans through workshops, projects, exhibitions and events.
"

We must get our non-profit status.

We need a board of at least three people. With defined terms.

We will make a wash out booth 4' x 4' x 2'

We will seek pledge members. Pledge members will receive up to three limited edition serigraphs every quarter.

We should have afternoon art workshops for seniors with our proximity and relation with Kimochi.

We should start having workshops. Photography. Drawing. Writing. and possibly screenprinting as soon as we get equipped.

We will have an advisory board which should be updated every few years.

In art there is no one too old or too young.

Insurance...Apilo for now?

NLF wants to negotiate a new lease.

The Hulk does not hate young people.

Kai Doi

2009-07-21T20:53:00.001-07:00

Kai Doi, originally uploaded by lwongphoto.

just trying this 'blog this' feature here in flickr

Nihonmachi Street Fair Poster

2009-07-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

This year's street fair poster by that what's his name...damn...keep on forgetting...you know...that Sumo Fish dude.

The street fair is in memory of Al Robles too!

Al Robles Celebration at Glide

2009-07-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

OK...this one is the biggie. It's potluck, so please bring huge quantities for consumptions.

JTA East Bay Summer BBQ

2009-07-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Stephanie and Dave, for a great time!

The Future of J-Town Arts

2009-07-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

Everyone,

I was recently told by Cathy Inamasu, NLF Director, that NLF wanted to renew the lease agreement between them (NLF) and us (JTA and API Legal Outreach). Also, she said that NLF wanted the JTa workshop space to be “added insureds” on APILO’s liability insurance policy.

I talked with Dean Taylor (APILO director) yesterday about these topics. He said the lease "could" be renewed, and the workshop space "could" be added to APILO’s liability insurance, but that first we (JTA members) needed to discuss among ourselves what our “long-term goals” are. He said we needed to come up with a plan for the future, including a budget. Then we should meet with him to talk about the plan. He pointed out that originally we had asked APILO to be our fiscal agent for only one year.

We are now into the third year. He also said that the workshop needed more members, including more young people because, “we’re getting too old for this stuff, Rich.” And that’s how our discussion ended.

So I’m calling a meeting for 6 pm on Friday, July 24th mainly to talk about the future of our art workshop. The meeting will be at the JTA Workshop, 1830 Sutter St. in San Francisco.

I’ll say this: Leon and I have had discussions about these topics in the past, so this is a good thing, to talk among ourselves, come up with ideas, bring them to Dean, and, as he put it, see if he can help us in any way to reach our goals.

Rich

P.S. - I talked to Grace Horikiri (Nihonmachi Street Fair chairperson) last night about the proposed shrine to Al Robles at the upcoming Street Fair (Aug. 8 & 9). She said she would give JTA an information booth at the Street Fair, and we can set up the shrine there. I'm thinking that if we can get an informational pamphlet together, we can hand it out at that time, as well.

tres musketeros

2009-07-10T01:33:00.001-07:00

tres musketeros, originally uploaded by lolo_cdom.

Presco Tabios is gonna crash under the table. Tony Remington's gonna take his picture and Al is gonna mention it in his poems amongst the dancing carabaos.

East Bay BBQ

2009-07-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

JTA supporters,

Please join us for a summer BBQ. We'll throw some meat and veggies on the grill, and hopefully enjoy a sunny afternoon in the East Bay!

If anyone has ideas to contribute regarding a memorial to Al and Bill at the Nihonmachi Street Fair, this will be a great opportunity to discuss the project. If you have ideas but can't be here, please e-mail us your comments!

Saturday, July 11, 2 pm - 6 pm

Dave Murai and Stephanie Lowe
2229 Roosevelt Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94703

RSVP
(510) 849-8818
fuzdog@berkeley.edu

by BART: from the (downtown) Berkeley BART station, walk down Allston (west - away from UC, towards the bay) about 5 blocks. Turn left on Roosevelt. Ours is the green house in the middle of the block on the left hand side.

by car: from 80, take the University Avenue exit. Turn right on McGee, turn left at the second intersection, Allston, then first right on Roosevelt. Ours is the green house in the middle of the block on the left hand side.

Thank You

2009-06-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

Photo by Jeremy Villaluz © 2008
Dear Everyone,

I am very happy with the way things turnd out for the J-Town Tribute to Al Robles. I would say that it was a really good thing and a success. It was all due to all of your participation and the participation of everyone who came. Also, those who just came to remember and brought food. Your remembrances, poetry, dance and music were "subarashii". Wonderful. Thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon which could not have happened if it weren't for all of you. I thank you all very deeply from the bottom of my heart for making this a truly successful Tribute. Of course Al would be falling all over himself with embarassment and wouldn't take any credit but I feel that his spirit was there with us too. As it is with us each and every day. It is so important to remember the Brother and to come together in his love of life and the people. Thank you again and take care!!! I remain yours.....

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

Never Our Intention

2009-06-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

It is never our intention or policy to exclude women and younger people from our group, yet we continue to get criticized as if we're doing that. We're open to anyone joining so long as they follow the mission of our group.

If young people want to participate in a group specifically for younger Asian American artists, they can join Kearny Street Workshop where you can be a part of KSW Next and Apature 18-35 years old.

If women want to participate in a group exclusively for Asian American women, they can join The Asian American Women Artists Alliance.

In fact I feel we can use people who are more energetic than the ones we have now. It's been over four years since we've been trying to get something going on here and not much has happened.

Good News! Judi Nihei, woman MC

2009-06-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

Intake-Outtake, Take II (1980). Judi Nihei. Photo by Bob Hsiang
Dear All,

Good news!!! Judi Nihei has agreed to M.C. our Tribute to Al event. And many of you have graciously responded with commitments of time, food, and drink. And I promise that I won't drink soda pop or fruit juice!! So now it just remains to set up and break down the Tribute.

I think we have a good lineup and there will probably be a lot of people wanting to participate in the open mike and talkstory part of our program.

Thank you so much and I will personally try to be at the National Japanese American Historical Society's Peace Gallery at around noon on Saturday.

Take care, and I remain yours......

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

On Male Chavinism and "Feminine Hand"

2009-06-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

After further discussion with Francis Wong and Rosalyn Tonai it was felt that we needed a feminine hand in the setup and maintenance of the potluck section of our program on Saturday.

I had thought that the usual guys, Rich, Doug, Leon and Leland would be good enough, but it was thought that we really needed a woman's touch here.

I don't know and I hope this isn't another male chauvinist type of thing but I wondered if we could be commitments from some of the women associated with Japantown Arts to do the setup and serving of the potluck section during the Al Robles event. In that light, can I ask Sharon, Gracie, Stephanie, Kay, Denise, Sabrena, Holly, Aiko and/or Judy to make a commitment to help with the food setup and administration?

It has been noted that Japantown Arts functions have too often been like a male kind of thing. I think that the men should help out too, but it was felt that there should be some women in this line of activity.

I need your help!!! Please respond Sisters!!

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

CAN YOU HELP OUT WITH SETUP AND CLEANUP AT NJAHS FOR AL'S TRIBUTE?

2009-06-25T06:11:00.001-07:00

Dear All,

On Saturday, June 27, we will be having the Tribute to Al Robles at the Peace Gallery of the National Japanese American Historical Society. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. We need people to help set up tables and chairs, not too much work, and getting everything set up for the event. Can you guys help out? Please let me know. Also. Don't forget that this is potluck and we can use FOOD. It would be the way that Al would have liked it. I am actually expecting quite a few people as our information has reached far and wide. Here is a breakdown of what will be on the program so far: We will have muisc from Francis Wong, and shigin singing from a friend of Tak's at Japan Video, a Mr.Yoshimura who will sing between 3:00 and 3:30. We will have poetry and remembrances from Janice Mirikitani, Nobuko Miyamoto, Avotcja, Norman Jayo, Nancy Hom, Leon Sun, Sabrena Taylor, Lou Syquia, maybe Jerry Waki, myself, the POOR Magazine poets, a friend of Al's named "Sunshine", Emile de Guzman, Tony Robles, maybe some hula from Denise Teraoka, and Tarabu Betseerai,

For M.C. I have been trying to get Judy Nihei but she hasn't responded past an initial negative. After talking to Rich and Lynn, I get the feeling that I might be next in line for this. But we will try to get Judy first and if anyone has any other ideas, feel free to voice them.

This is a potluck so I guess we are depending on people to bring food. We are not planning on buying anything like a tray of chow mein or any chicken wings. But I was just thinking. Should we provide wine? Should there be wine flowing at this event? And should we invest in some big gallon bottles of two-buck chuck red wine? I guess we should have tea. That is simple. NJAHS has a big hot water pot and we can get a box of tea bags we can throw in there.

Rosalyn Tonai of NJAHS wants me to get together with Francis Wong to talk about the setup and production aspects of the event. I guess this has to do with amplification, mikes, etc.

Is there anything we are missing? We will need a cleanup crew for afterwards. This will probably be the biggest part of the job.

Take care, everybody and tell everyone about this event. If you think anything is missing, please contact me and let me know. I remain yours....

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

Tribute to Al Robles June 27th 2pm

2009-06-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

See you there!

JTA Mission Position

2009-05-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

Because I have been noticing that when I sent out the "reply" to the "Re: Garage Sale:" emails it seemed that it got all chopped off and may not have sent the entire message I am re-sending or re-writing part of an email that I sent earlier today.

As far as Japantown Arts Mission Statement I think we should have a new one. It should be no more than three or four sentences long and should establish very general orientation for Japantown Arts. It should leave the specifics for our future interpretion. I think it should say something about our being a community arts organization that serves the Asian American communities. It would be nice to have it worded in such a way that it is attractive to young people. But it should be general. It should establish the community nature of our work in this society and say a little bit about our composition. I think that should be enough. The majority of mission statements are generally not that long and verbal.

As far as young people is concerned and "passing the torch" I think that it is obvious that young blood should be part of any lasting and growing organization. Just in terms of being effective and having a finger on the pulse of current times it is imperative. However I think that Leland has a point in that there shouldn't be this tremendous break with the "oldsters" and be ageist. As I said before that the young people should be combined. COMBINED. Combined with the older artists and made to be aware of the mission of the organization. I think the lesson of what happened to Kearny Street Workshop is only too real where the older artists were removed from the life of the organization, viz. Leland Wong. We can give younger and newer artists RESPONSIBLITY and in that capacity they will bring their new energy and insight, but we don't have to make a wall and block anybody out.

I think that Boku is right when he talks about the need to have young people to carry on the work of the organization. Japantown Arts will never flourish if there isn't new blood. In fact, Rich Tokeshi was just remarking that recently the participation of the women has been all important to the life of Japantown Arts.
It is the inclusion of new people. And the full utilization of people who were there in the past. Not just necessarily new "young" people. But young people gives the organization relevance and currency. I mean, makes us keep up with the times. We do see things through the lense of a generation ago, you know. My own experience was heavily tempered by the Third World revolts of the post-Civil Rights Era. We talked about community and Asian American and Third World people. Now I guess they talk about Internet stuff and Obama. Much less structured yet creative and anti-authoritarian.

We need a place where contemporary artists can find expression and older artists can putter around and do their "community art". We have to recognize the dispersed nature of the Asian communities, particularly the Japanese American community, and see the advantages and drawbacks of that situation. We can go a lot of places including getting back to art classes and workshops as well as recruit a good group for doing commecial work to raise funds through graphic design and projects with groups in the community like we always do. A large part of this will depend on our ability to be economically sustainable. If we enjoy being together we will stay together. What exists now is like a "good old boys club". I don't know what will make it more attractive to young folks except to consciously try to get younger people to participate in determining our programs and artwork. It is unfortunate that so much of what young people do nowadays is on the computer and we don't have a real capacity to work with that even though we have talked about it in the past. The use of improved science and technology in the arts is something that we face as a fact and as an expense. We can't be too old world about these things. Even the digital camera has changed things. Not to mention layout and design and computers.

But I think that where there is a will there is a way, and part of it is having a living Mission Statement that can be used to drum up activity on the part of new and young artists. It is the age of Obama and Obama was elected by a tide of young people together with all those who were fed up with George W. I think people are ready to become active again like we were in the seventies and eighties. They might call their work by another name but I bet they still want to become involved. There is also a new note of optimism with Obama in the presidency. It is O.K. to be intelligent. Sorry, Bobby Okamura, but "dumb" just doesn't cut it anymore. I think people are ready to be involved and active. But it's got to have a certain freedom and a certain lightness. Not this heavy-handed bullshit of the past.

Let's do a new Mission Statement, shore up participation of the women in Japantown Arts who have recently become active and actively seek out younger and newer artists to join us in our quest, our journey in this society which we seek to intepret, and explain. Art is connected to everyday life and our society. We have to be active participants in this. The forms will be different depending on how close the to the pulse of society we are. But people will become involved if they feel they have a say in the decision making and aren't frozen out or expected to do too much in relation to what they can give at this point in their lives. Those of us who can give more time can give more time.

I remain yours.....

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

Tribute to Al Robles June 27th

2009-05-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Everybody,

We have tentatively set the memorial gathering for June 27, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the National Japanese American Historical Society's Peace Gallery in Japantown. I have emailed Tony Robles, Al's nephew, and Russell Robles, his brother regarding blessings from the Robles family and participation. They already knew we were planning something previously.

I told them that we were expecting to have a potluck, with entertainment, poetry, remembrances, an open mike, and talk story at NJAHS' Peace Gallery. The only confirmatin for entertainment has been Francis Wong. I would like also to get a shigin singer and maybe a shakuhachi player to perform (not necessarily with Francis). I would like to have some poetry from the local Asian American poets, including the Japantown Arts Writers Workshop and maybe people like Janice Mirikitani.

I said I would like to form an ad hoc committee made up of Japantown Arts folks, National Japanese American Historical Society folks, and Japantown folks from the community. I was thinking of targeting the "old-time J-Town" folks who knew Al when he was growing up in Japantown, the former JAM Workshop people, Kearny Street Workshop people, Manilatown Heritage Foundation folks, Tule Lake Pilgrimage people and JACL people, along with Filipino and African American friends of Al's from the Western Addition. Everyone would be welcome but it would have a real bias toward the Western Addition Japantown connection with Al. We could advertise in the Hokubei Mainichi and the Nichi Bei Times as well as print up flyers for distribution and posting in Nihonmachi. We can all email our friends and comrades in arms about this event.

I think we can start advertising for this event now. The program is not solidified but I have made a commitment to work on it and I am sure that more people will be coming forward to participate.

Let's make this a real nice tribute to Al. He was such a wonderful and giving guy. Like I said earlier he gave each and every one of us the feeling that we were special in his book and he gave us his love and friendship. He was our brother, uncle, peer and mentor. He was our fellow cultural worker in the Asian American community. He was important in that he was life itself and man in motion with a Zen veneer. He was Existential Man. He lived quietly yet fully and worked wonders of small miracles every day and in many small and unassuming ways. He was a regular guy yet with the number of people whose lives he touched he was a giant.

It is our responsiblity to never let people like Al die. He really was special. Not that we all aren't all special in our own right, but you know what I mean. Al was a very vibrant and influential guy. He was a real mentor and a community cultural workers and social activist. Al had a very special J-Town connection, he grew up in the Japantown Western Addition, the mother of his child is a Japanese American, he studied with Shunryu Suzuki of the Soto Zen mission in the early days, he had a bookstore in Japantown on Post near Laguna in the late 1950's, he attended Manzanar and Tule Lake Pilgrimages, he was a stalwart of the Japantown Arts Writers Workshop, he was a frequenter of Japantown festivals and streetfairs as well as local hangouts like Benkyodo. Al was tight with Filipino culture and heritage but he also had a fond feeling for Japanese culture and the Japanese community.

Al was very important in terms of the development of our creating our history and our community cultural identity. He was a poet, an artist and a cultural worker. He was part of that whole movement of Third World people that came alive in the sixties, seventies and eighties in re-creating our cultural community. He did this in tandem with other ethnic groups like African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans. He influenced and was influenced by all these movements too. He was part of the genre of an expression of Third World Asian community art and poetry, voice, song, chant, rap, etc. He was a lyricist and a romantic. He was socially conscious and a documentarian of life of our Asian American communities. And always with lightness and humor. A real feeling of down home-ness.

Let's make a special effort to have a nice tribute for Al. I feel like we must make his life known and we should commiserate together in our common loss. It is our duty to make his life and works known. We must write the history that the established historians and textbooks writers will not write. We must honor our heros and our mentors. Al is of that class. He was one of us. Each of us knew him in a differnt way but we all got something great out of his friendship. I remain yours in friendship and love......

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

Ronald Takaki, ethnic studies pioneer, dies at 70

2009-05-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

Professor and author Ronald Takaki took his own life after suffering with mutiple sclerosis for the last two decades.
LA Times

clean up...clean up...everybody do your share...

2009-05-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

Our workshop clean-up is set for June 13th. We'll start the clean-up in the morning, then get the barbecue going in the afternoon. We'll supply the meat for the barbecue (any suggestions?)... The Al Robles memorial event has been moved to June 27, but Pete hasn't given me any more information besides the date. I'm assuming all the wrinkles are still being ironed out.

-Rich

It’s time to clean up clean up
Everybody do your share
Clean up clean up
Soon the mess will not be there

Clean up clean up
Look at this we’re almost done
Toys away -- hey hey hey
Clean-up can be fun

Be Bop
I think I’ll put my ball in the toy chest
Be bop...
And this book goes in my bookshelf
Bee bop...
Oh no, Don’t push all your toys under the bed
Bee bop...

Toys away -- hey hey hey
Clean-up can be fun

Him Mark Lai, Chinese American Historian

2009-05-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

From the CHSA website:

Celebrating Him Mark Lai
06/20/2009 [Saturday] 2:30 pm
Chinese Culture Center
750 Kearny Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94108,

A memorial service and celebration of Him Mark Lai’s life will be held at the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco’s Chinatown on Saturday, June 20 at 2:30 p.m.

Him Mark Lai, an internationally renowned archivist and historian of Chinese America and a highly respected leader of the community, died peacefully on Thursday, May 21, after a long struggle with cancer and other complications. He was 84 years old and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Laura.

Him Mark Lai was born on November 1, 1925 in San Francisco’s Chinatown. As the first in his family to begin life in America, he was an avid reader and collector of books in both Chinese and English. Like many Chinatown children before World War II, he started schooling at both Commodore Stockton Elementary School and Nam Kue Chinese School. From there, he went to Francisco Junior High School and Galileo High School. Upon graduation from high school, he first attended City College of San Francisco before completing his mechanical engineering degree at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1947.

Between work and study, Him Mark found time to join the San Francisco chapter of the Chinese League for Peace and Democracy, an organization opposed to American interference in China’s Civil War, 1945-1949. He also joined the Chinese American Democratic Youth League, more familiarly known as Mun Ching, where he met Laura Jung, a young new immigrant, whom he eventually married in 1953. Laura became his life-time companion and steadfast supporter and collaborator in his work on Chinese American history until he died.

Since he never learned how to drive, his countless research trips criss-crossing the U.S. could not have been accomplished without the ever-present love, care, and devotion of Laura. In late 1949, he started volunteering for the Chung Sai Yat Po, the first daily paper to support the new People’s Republic of China, and became a member of organizations active in persuading students to return to China to serve the new government. In 1967, he accepted an invitation by the East/West, the Chinese American Weekly, a Chinese bilingual weekly published and edited by Gordon Lew, to write a series of articles on Chinese American history.

His most significant contributions to Chinese American history fall in three broad categories: research and publications; archival collections; and nurturing and mentoring of young Chinese American historians.

In all, he published and edited ten books and more than one hundred articles in English and Chinese on all aspects of Chinese American life. His East/West articles—revised and annotated—became the basis for the classic A History of the Chinese in California, A Syllabus, co-edited with Thomas W. Chinn and Philip P. Choy, as well as for the first Chinese American history course in the United States, which Lai team taught with Choy at San Francisco State College in Fall 1969. His syllabus remains a standard reference, as does Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island 1910-1940, co-authored/translated with Genny Lim and Judy Yung. Under his guidance and editorial leadership, many issues of CHSA’s annual journal Chinese America: History & Perspectives were also produced. Among his most important books, Becoming Chinese Americans: A History of Communities and Institutions was published in 2004.

To dig up buried pasts, Him Mark Lai collected archival materials from Chinese American individuals and organizations across the nation, rescuing documents and old Chinese-language books and newspaper collections from dumpsters, second-hand and rare books stores. With Laura, he traveled to archives and Chinese/American communities on both sides of the Pacific, interviewed hundreds of people, and gathered valuable historical materials. Through his tireless search came two very important published bibliographies of Chinese newspapers and Chinese language materials: Chinese Newspapers Published in North America, 1854-1975 co-complied with Karl Lo in 1977 and A History Reclaimed: An Annotated Bibliography of Chinese Language Materials on the Chinese in America in 1986. Both are considered indispensable tools and sources for Chinese American history.

Five years ago, he decided to donate his personal collection of rare documents, journals, monographs, and books to the Chinese American Archival Collection in the Asian American Studies Collection in the Ethnic Studies Library of the University of California, Berkeley. Through a grant from the National Archives, the entire collection is now available to the public at: http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt7r29q3gq.

Besides being a historian and archivist, Him Mark Lai was a generous and effective teacher. He taught occasional courses in Chinese American history in the Asian American Studies Programs at San Francisco State University and the University of California, Berkeley and provided guidance to hundreds of students and scholars.

Virtually every dissertation and book on Chinese America in the past thirty years is indebted to Him Mark’s research, collection materials, or guidance. Beyond his contributions to Chinese American history mentioned above, Him Mark Lai also maintained his cultural and political commitment to the Chinese American community. For thirteen years, he coordinated a group that produced Hon Sing, a weekly radio program of news commentary, community announcements, and Chinese music under the auspices of the Chinese for Affirmative Action; and he served multiple terms on the boards of many organizations—such as the Chinese Culture Foundation and the Chinese Historical Society of America. He also brought to light new research by others through his decades of work on the editorial committees of Amerasia Journal and other publications.

In conclusion, Him Mark Lai will long be remembered as the historian who rescued Chinese American history from oblivion and restored Chinese American experience as an integral part of not just U.S. history but the history of modern China.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the “Him Mark Lai Digital Archive Project” of the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA), the “Him Mark Lai Heritage Fund” of the Chinese Culture Foundation (CCF), or Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA).

Nazdar® 2700 Series Aquasafe Water-Based All Purpose Gloss Screen Ink

2009-05-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

This has been the ink we've been using:

AquaSafe 2700 Series All Purpose Screen Ink is a water-based ink that produces a glossy ink film, offers good weather resistance and is flexible enough for vacuum forming.

SUBSTRATES: Coated paper, cardboard, pressure-sensitive vinyl, top-coated polyester, static-cling, polycarbonate, some coated metals and styrene.

mission

2009-05-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Can't pass on a dead torch. Gotta light it first, even if a very low, basic flame. Then people - young, old, whatever - will have something to get their hands on and take it where they will.

I don't mind revisiting the mission thing. The old one does not reflect the times, and now that we have more people in the conversation, I'm interested in hearing what their visions are for JtA. It's important to tab down the vision - i.e., a working vision. From there we can figure out costs, set goals, timelines, etc.

I don't think any of us want to be exclusive of anyone based on age or any other category. Shoot, we'd be grateful for anyone who wants to participate. Of course, there will always be a jerk now and then once we open it up, but we can deal with that as it happens. I think Boku was speaking from the point of view of his very positive experience in working with youth and how that can translate to JtA.

Here are my brief thoughts on the vision/mission thang:

1) I think our main thing should be silkscreen printing. To that end, I want JtA to be a workshop for individual artists (like me!) who want to print and develop their form, "push the envelope" in screen printing. Should be a place where exciting new work emerges. BUT, having said that, I'd say the work has to be of, by and for the community. There are ways to control that and we can discuss it in more detail. Think: J-town Forever project as a model.

2) After screen printing, I would basically follow the old JAM model of providing workshops and classes in other media - drawing, writing, crafts, as well as specific projects such as poetry and print portfolio, calendar, youth writing workshop etc., etc.

3) Graphic Services. Here's where I see a major difference from the old model: No silkscreened posters for events, etc. as I feel there's no demand for it and not cost effective. Instead, JtA can be a contracting station for individual graphic designers and photographers who will pay a percentage of proceeds to JtA. Graphic artists and photographers can keep a portfolio and resume with JtA. What this means is that most of this business will be carried out online, with one person to stay on top of things, namely, accounting. Details can be worked out, but I don't see this position as requiring a whole lot of time. The best part of contracting is that it requires no outlay of money up front for JtA, and it benefits community artists looking for business.

Other topics to revisit

Set up our own incorporation/non-prof status? Set up a Board of Directors who will be responsible for fundraising? We already went with the option of being part of APILO but maybe we should rethink it? Question boils down to who is willing to take up the responsibility - so think about it, everyone!

As for immediate, concrete matters:

After cleaning up the space, we should talk about setting up office hours - getting a phone line/email service, setting up a couple of computer stations. I think this is doable - maybe with a few small donations from all of us to get things started. I will be happy to spend a few days a week manning the office - just so we have a real pesence in the communtiy. In the beginning, I can just do my own work while I'm there - like things I do on the computer at home anyway. I can do an early shift and Rich, maybe you can come in the p.m. after work? Can have an endless pot of coffee going and folks can just drop by and hang out. That's where the chemisty begins.

We can restart the writing, drawing workshops and our monthly coffee house - all/any low-cost things we've done before can be done again.

2009-05-25T21:21:00.000-07:00

A day at the JtA Garage Sale, May 23, 2009.

Two Poems dedicated to Al Robles by Pete Kenichi Yamamoto

2009-05-25T03:50:00.000-07:00

DON’T LOOK NOW, IT’S AL ROBLES

Grey hair pulled to a short ponytail.
High forehead and a tan face.
Mustache and a whispy grey beard.
You are wearing hiking boots.

Flamboyant Hawaiian shirt of many colors.
Blue denim vest with many pockets.
Your glasses framing wide eyes.
Your hands pointing, fingers relaxing.

Your mouth slightly open.
A straight back on a smallish frame.
Yet healthy and able to run after a fleeing bus.
Your thirty five pound backpack filled with notebooks and free lunches.

Al is talking.
Talking.
About everything.
And nothing.

Al is pointing.
And he is saying:
“It’s gonna BE all right!”
Al dodges and throws a few low punches like a flyweight Filipino fighter.

Then slaps your hands and arms and shoulders.
Grabs you in a “Brothers” handshake and says
“Porget i-it!!”, and
“Are you CRAZY?!!!” “Are you KIDDING me?!!!”

The sun goes down after a hot day.
Al still has energy, his body doesn’t stand tired.
He has power in his bent-legged stance.
The inner “Ki” power of Zen.

Then raises his chin and says:
“Hey man!”
And shrugs his backpack further up his shoulder.
The roosters square off ready for the cockfight.

I am laughing at this sensitive non-ego man.
This humble yet strong guy who asks:
“Hab you had your breakFUST yet?”
And looks earnestly and interestedly into your eyes.

Then: “Far out!!!!”
And as you are leaving: “Love you brother!!!!!”
And embraces you.
Al, leave me alone, you’re killing me!!!

The sun has been down for a long time.
It is dark.
Talking about grains of rice and Asian people.
Pretty girls, and poetry, and imagination…..

“Come to me my melancholy ba-aby!!”
You just came from somewhere.
When you leave you will go to somewhere.
And now you are here rapping with ME!!!

A rappin’ carabao in the dark.
Dancing among the caribou.
A throaty breathy shafty shakuhachi
The clear tones of Kulintang.

Sorria can’t cook enough rice and adobo.
Manong Freddy can’t pick banjo fast enough.
Ayson cannot smile weakly and simply enough.
Primo has just kissed Geraldine in lieu of payment for lunch.

I’m getting drunk offa one single beer,
Diones is yelling about “shit-disturbers”
Sorro is clucking his tongue in his cheek.
Your daughter, Okashi, smiles for you that bright, wide smile of hers.

Your poem about the Nisei who went through concentration camp.
Your admiration for Carlos Bulosan.
The New I-Hotel is a sweet victory for the people.
My eyes fill with tears again and again.

Peter Kenichi Yamamoto
May 24, 2009

BEEF STEW, MAYBE TRIPE

I cry tears of loss and pain for you, Al
My tears always fall from tight-clenched eyes like a light spring rain in a lush forest
jungle.
Prelude to a Spring monsoon torrent rain in the Pacific and South Asia.
It hurts so much inside.

Al, I can’t believe that we have lost you.
Never again to rap with you, talk story,
Or break bread with you.
The crispy skin of the lechon.

To hear you say: “It’s gonna be all right!”
Or: “Love you, Brother!” and hug you, when we parted.
To see your high forehead and glasses above a grey mustache and beard.
Your straight body, unbent, unbroken.

You seemed a young 68 years,
Though you were really 79.
How many friendships.
How many connections with us, of yours.

We are mourning you,Al.
We are grieving.
Manong Tony says you are STILL in the hospital.
The counter girl at Happy Donuts already told him that you had passed.

You are now rapping with the Manongs of the I-Hotel.
With Manong Felix Ayson and Manong Claudio Domingo.
Sorria is with you with his cooking pots.
Agnes and Manong Wahat Tompao too.

Is Joe Diones coming after you waving his pistol?
And Sammy the Flower Man with his stolen blossoms?
And Manong Freddy with his banjo?
You are there with them again now, Al.

You are there with them laughing at us.
Or with us.
Gently asking if we have had our breakfast yet.
Remembering the stained counters and lazy flies of Silverwing Café and Star Lunch.

You are there with the Pinoys of Lucky M Pool Hall.
Lounging in dark corners.
Hovering over green felt pool tables
With slender cues in their gnarled hands under felt hats and naked lightbulbs.

You are there watching the Manongs line up
To be seen by the young Pinay nurse
At Manilatown.
We talked about the fine young Sisters in our lives too.

You, me, Lou Syquia and Lamonta,
At Manilatown
Talking about my stacks of hard bound Journals
Talking about the fine young sisters in our lives.

I remember the old I-Hotel.
Me, an itinerant young man college dropout worker.
The low faded green wood bench in front of the I-Hotel
A bag of char siu bao in my hand, thoughtfully munching.

You pass by on your way to the original old Kearny Street Workshop
To see….what were their names?.........Names?

Jim Dong. Nancy Hom. Leland Wong. Presco Tabios. Norman Jayo. Jimmy Yee. Richard Likong. Doug Yamamoto. Crystal Huie. Dennis Taniguchi. Lou Syquia. Judy Talogan. George Leong. Dean Tom. Nelson Yee. Sachiko Nakamura. Brenda Aoki. Genny Lim. Russell Leong. Geraldine Kudaka. Bob Hsiang. And so many more. .

You remember the Manongs to the youth.
To the barrio kids in the South of Market schools and youth groups.
Telling the stories of salmon fish head soup and
Stockton taxi-dances, with pomeade hair, Florsheim shoes and Blondies.

My Chinese immigrant restauranteur friend says:
“Your friend in heaven looking down at you now,
He want you look happy!”
Yes Al, you want me look happy?

Sadnesses falling away to emptinesses and lonelinesses.
Without you anymore Al.
Like when we lost Brother Bill Sorro too.
What we gonna do now, Al?

Who’s gonna round up the old-timers?
And who’s gonna get together the poets?
And who’s gonna make the festivals a happening place?
Who’s gonna point out those fine points of humanity and struggle?

The old Pinoy in the wheelchair living in the Mission District.
He doesn’t know you are gone.
The Nisei homeless old lady living on Clement Street.
She doesn’t know you’re gone.

Who’s gonna tell all your elderly friends locked up in their lonely hotel rooms?
Who’s gonna publish all your stories of the Manong that you hold in your mind?
You’re gone away.
Like a whispy trailing wind.

We already miss you too much.
And already you are forgotten because you aren’t here to speak for yourself.
BUT I DON’T FORGET YOU!!!!
Like I don’t forget the Brother Bill Sorro!!!

Do you remember the three of us at Tule Lake Pilgrimage.
Bill Sorro, me, and you?
Three crazy m.f.’ers in the back of the bus!
Stone crazy artists and lovers and Third World revolutionaries.

Al Robles came out of the old International Hotel struggle,
With others on the Mayor’s committee you fought
For the New I-Hotel.
Some bricks from the old I-Hotel are in the New I-Hotel’s Manilatown Center.

The fight of those Manongs and the elderly Chinese is over.
And the New I-Hotel stands tall, imposing, and proud at Kearny and Jackson Streets.
A monument to their long painful community struggle.
Section 8 Senior Low-income Housing.

Al Robles is gone
But he lives on in the search of the young ones coming up.
Who see the New I-Hotel arisen.
And who hear the story of the Manong.

Laborers in the canneries of Alaska.
The strawberry and lettuce fields of Salinas.
The apple and pear orchards of Sacramento.
The hotels of San Francisco.

You loved your food, your cafeteria-style “buffets”
Your down-home neighborhood eateries and “dives”
Food was forever big with you.
As it was to be with a beautiful woman.

Al, I miss your Zen-like rapping.
Out there yet controlled.
With a method to your madness.
Wisdom in a few words and observances.

And always that warmth.
That warmth.
That love that is so typical of you, Al.
It’s a stereotype to say it.

But that love of the people.
The young and the old.
The good and the not-so-good.
Like a beef-stew of life. Maybe tripe.

Or spaghetti with eggs over easy at Pork Chop House.
On a quiet, foggy San Francisco morning.
Give way to the brave wan sunshine of a new Spring day.
…….And you, Al.

Peter Kenichi Yamamoto
May 10, 2009

Garage Sale $560 WOO HOO

2009-05-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Everybody,

The garage sale has come and gone. We made around $560, chump change for-say-Kimochi, but very good for us. Personally, I had a blast pricing and analyzing all the items with Wes, Lynn, Pete, and Leon.

Besides all the stuff left over from the last sale, we got new donations from old reliable Jeff Murai, steady Kenny Yamada, Laura, Sabrena, Kay, Rich, Dave and Stephanie, Emy Hynes (and her friend Roberta), the Kimochi Home (especially Grace Fujimoto), and Yoshiko Kitawaki. Yoshiko was also instrumental in gaining us access to a source we would not ordinarily have had, so special thanks to her for that. And special thanks to Leland for helping me go get the items from that source.

On the day of the sale, in addition to myself and Leon, we got lots of help from Grace Horikiri, Dave and Stephanie, Pete, Laura, Lynn, Wes, and Karen. Later on in the day, Tai, Rich, and Leland came by to visit and help (Sharon was out of town, Kay was sick, and Genny, if you came by after we closed the sale, I apologize - it was so cold we had to close up early.)...

All in all, it was a good sale, but it could be made better with some changes: First, in my mind, I can't be in charge. I'm not a good leader. I have problems designating responsibilities (telling people what to do). Instead, I bust my butt trying to do everything myself. That's not the best way to go about group activities, especially fundraising events like this. Remember, the reason why JAM was so successful was because I wasn't the guy in charge. I helped. That's what I do best: I help.

What I'm saying is I'm looking for someone to do the next garage sale, which might be the last one we do for a while, because our workshop space has been taken up a lot (maybe too much) with storage of past garage sale items... This is kind of a dilemma to me. Because there are two things that make our garage sales satisfying to me: 1. We make some money for the workshop, and 2. we're able to get together and visit with each other, which we used to do just at holiday barbecues and at our long-past "coffee house" poetry readings.

So here's an idea I just had: Can we put it all together? Can we have our garage sales just on holiday weekends, to include barbecuing and poetry reading? Is that too much? A lot of people leave town on holidays. And a poetry reading would be distracting to the main objective of a garage sale, which is to sell stuff. Plus, the work that's needed to have a garage sale kind of defeats the purpose of a holiday. Lastly, we'd have to deal with the items left over after the sale...

Anyway, I'm starting a discussion here. Let me know what you think. And thanks to everyone for a great effort!

-Rich

GARAGE SALE!!!

2009-05-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody,

The JapanTown Arts Garage Sale will take place this coming Saturday (May 23) from 9:00 am until 4 pm. JTA is located at 1830 Sutter St. in San Francisco. Join us if you can - in addition to the sale, we'll also have a barbeque, so come and hang out, at least! In the spirit of Al Robles, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month, Pete Yamamoto will read his latest poems, and anyone else is welcome to read, as well (We're planning to have a separate event in June to honor Al.).

At 6 pm Thursday evening and 6 pm Friday evening (May 21 & 22), we'll be pricing items. It would be a good time for you guys to scope out the stuff! Let know if you'd like to help with the pricing.

See you soon!

Rich

In Memory of Al Robles

2009-05-03T21:42:00.001-07:00

Dear All,

Al Robles passed away on Saturday morning from a heart attack after having contracted a fever after he was moved from the ICU at Kaiser on Geary in S.F. to a Kaiser facility in San Leandro. He had been moved to a local hospital after contracting the fever when he died.

Al will be sorely missed in the Asian communities, and among Third World and poor communities in general. There was a small gathering of friends today, Sunday, at the Manilatown Center of the New International Hotel. According to his family there will be a much larger celebration of his life in a few weeks most likely South of Market. The time and place has yet to be announced.

In recognition of Al's special relationship to the Japanese community, and after talking with a few people I would like to set up some kind of observance in Japantown. Al grew up in the Western Addition and as such knew many of our community along with the local African American and Filipino population. He attended the Buchanan YMCA along with many J.A. folks and had a bookstore on Post near Laguna in the late 1950's. In the course of time he was a participant in the Manzanar and Tule Lake Pilgrimages. He studied with Shunryu Suzuki of the Soto Zen mission in the U.S. in the old days when it was located on Bush near Laguna. The mother of Al's daughter is a Japanese American. He has been a regular participant of the old Japantown Art and Media Workshop as well as its descendant, Japantown Arts. Al has been an enthusiast of J-Town life and our festivals.

I think we should have a get together in Al's memory somewhere in Japantown sometime in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps with some poetry, and wine, and remembrances. I am open to suggestions on when and where to have it. I think we should get together. There will be small gatherings throughout the City of San Francisco in his memory. I think his special relationship to us demands some kind of activity. It has to do with the love of the man.

In quest of the magnificent,
Freedom is a constant struggle,

Pete Yamamoto

Another Garage Sale!!!

2009-04-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

JapanTown Arts (JTA) Workshop, located at 1830 Sutter St., will have our second garage sale and barbecue on Saturday, May 23rd, starting at 9 am, and lasting until 5 pm (or when we're sold out, whichever comes first).

At 6 pm on Friday evening, May 22nd, we'll have a "preview" of the sale, and price all the items. Come by on either day to help, or to just hang out.

We're going to try to get the workshop more "useable" as an art workshop, but we need to raise some funds to be able to equip it the way we want to. And then, of course, there's that whole rent thing. Come by, even if you're not needing to add any "essential" items to your life.

Let me know if you have any items to donate (but no junk!). My phone number is 415-418-0441.

Thanks, and see all of you soon!

-Rich

Ten Random Things for our wishlist

2009-03-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

1. Metal Halide exposure unit http://www.mrprint.com/en/ProductOverview.aspx?id=2
http://www.mrprint.com/uploaded/wmv/6K_3K_04_2008.wmv
6K/3K
NuArc’s 6K & 3K multi-spectrum metal-halide lamps provide instant-start, shutterless operation for all freestanding and wall-mounted vacuum frames. The 6K & 3K provide uniform coverage on direct, capillary, and indirect emulsions. Each model features a precise controller/integrator with photo detector, pushbutton controls, and LED readout. Their shutter-free operation eliminates warm-up time and the need for mechanical exposure components. Height-adjustable floor stands and heavy-duty casters are standard.

2. Vacuum Frame
http://www.mrprint.com/en/ProductOverview.aspx?id=69

SPVF Vacuum Frames are sized for large and multiple screen exposures, and with eight standard models and custom sizes, there’s one to fit virtually every need. (36” x 50”)

3. Wash out sink

http://www.lawsonsp.com/polyprosinks.php

Poly-Pro/DeluxePoly-Pro Deluxe Backlit Sink

Lawson Poly-Pro/Deluxe Tank incorporates our most popular options as standard features and provides a convenient, safe and economical way to either develop or reclaim your screen stencils.

# Standard Features: Backlit Illumination
# Bottom Shelf
# Spray-Wand Holder
# Over-Spray Hood
# Floor Legs with Level Adjustment
# Optional Features: Water Filtration System
# Side Shelves
# GFCI Receptacle (120 v)

Model Shown: #3848
Standard Sizes: 38" x 48" x 28" Item

4. Retensionable Frames

http://www.stretchdevices.com/Products/capframes.php#M3
10- "25 X 36" OD (63.50 X 91.44cm)

5. Inks
Nazdar® 5500 Series Flat Poster Screen Ink
a variety of colors

6. Power Sprayer

7. Computer

NEW Mac Pro 8-Core
(Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon)
6GB/640/GT120/SD

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/macpro/

8. Computer Screen
Apple 24" LED Cinema Display MB382LL/A

9. Wide Format Printer
HP Designjet Z6100 42-inch Color Large Format Printer

10. Wide Format Laminator
SEAL 62 Pro Wide Format Laminator
http://www.sealgraphics.com/websites/sealbrands/sealweb.nsf/htmlalias/seal62pro

Progress Report -- March 09

2009-03-22T02:43:00.000-07:00

Nothing much...

Day Of Remembrance 09

2009-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Day of Remembrance 2009 Graphics

The Hulk did the graphics for the DOR for the last two years. He has been doing it as a partial fundraiser for JTA to help pay for our rent. This year he thought he'd spread the work around and let Tok do it.

So....Tok and Sun got together and did this graphic for the event.

Then all of a sudden, Hat found this photo (below). Actually...she originally really wanted this image for the graphics of the event instead of the above but she couldn't find it in time. heh heh heh...

She told Tok and Sun to scrap their design and use this photo.

What?! After all that work?! No way!

So...who else can she turn to but the friendly, patient and gullible neighborhood Hulk to put together the graphics again. He took the photo and with one Hulk smash....he whipped out the graphic.

So....everyone seemed happy with it and it went to print.
After the postcard was the brochure cover layout. Hatt wanted to emphasize the date on the banner to make it really show that it's the 30th anniversary. So the Hulk turned the design into a simple vertical graphic and extended the sky. Simple as pie are square.

hmmmmm....it don't look so bad. The Hulk thinks he should've just kept it simple from the beginning. To add a little color, he just did a simple gradient in photoshop.
Next came the 11x17 poster. It all fit perfectly in the sky!

There....that wasn't so bad...that was easy. Next time they should just rub their fingers together for more okane if there are to be changes. No need for all that urusai which makes everyone look bad.

oh...and a little update as to what has happened ever since the last entry.

We participated in Silver Bells Holiday Faire again. This time it was held at the Cathedral Hill basement. We sold prints and greeting cards. The Hulk came out with some new cards.

We participated in the Oshogatsu Festival in January. It was held at the JCCCNC's gymnasium. We did the regular...screen printed t-shirts with Wes Senzaki's old design and Leon Sun's new design.

We had a hot potluck party at Leon and Karen's house.

Tok was going to organize a garage sale again, but decided not to do it

Tok will be retiring in April after twenty illustrious years of service to Kimochi as a popular driver. He plans to spend time sitting and doing his art at JTA for his golden years.

The Survival of J-Town Arts

2008-11-28T23:53:00.001-08:00

blaaaah!

Garage Sale

2008-10-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone,

Just wanted to send a note of thanks to all of you for a memorable garage sale.
It wasn't that it was a great "fundraiser" for Japan Town Arts - although we did raise
enough to cover the next few months, which is great, and accomplished what Leon
had in mind with his original idea. But the response from you guys was truly overwelming.
We got donations from a lot of you, and many of you also came out to staff the sale,
help with the barbeque, and just hang out with us. All in all, it made for a great event.
And now that we've got one under our belt, LET'S DO AGAIN SOON!...
It wouldn't be right to let it go without saying: BIG THANK YOUs to: Sharon Senzaki,
Grace Horikiri, Ken Yamada, Boku Kodama, Genny Lim, Wes Nihei, Lynn Nihei, Jeff Murai,
Karen Wing, Kay Nomura, and Sabrena Taylor. Thanks for your support: Aiko Murase,
Al Robles, Tai, and Cathy Inamasu.

On behalf of Leon, Pete, and Leland,

Thanks everybody!

-Rich

GARAGE SALE!!!

2008-10-25T01:26:00.000-07:00

J-Town Arts is having a garage sale today at 9am to 4pm in the garage of NLF. Please bring junk and money. Thank you.

$688 in the hole

2008-10-15T04:49:00.000-07:00

waiting for my reimbursements for a year and more.

Awards for APILO's Luau on 9/19

2008-09-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

So...APILO needs something to give their awards in at the luau. Dean asked Tokeshi if he could come up with something. We got nothing except our J-Town Forever serigraphs. But Dean felt it was too J-Town. Taking into consideration that the recipients may not have any ties to J-Town. The recipient could be Cambodian American, or East Indian American. It was taken negatively by some of the JTA artists....like what the hell. And can we come up with something else.

i don't know who's photos...but interesting

2008-09-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Ethnic

Carabao ( Noom Bao Sao Parn )

2008-08-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

Link

July's BBQ

2008-08-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

About twelve people showed up at the BBQ in July.

It was the last time a lot of us saw Kenny Matoba. He passed away last week of liver failure. May he rest in peace.

Nothing's been going on.....

2008-08-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing has been going on.

The only thing is Tok is going to be taking his fridays off and plan to hang out at the basement.

Hey everybody,

We'll be having another potluck at the JTA Workshop (1830 Sutter) next weekend. We're starting at 2 pm on Saturday, Aug. 30th. We'll fire up the barbeque, so bring a side dish, or something to throw on the fire.
This will be kind of a rent party, since we're trying to raise the workshop's rent for the coming months. If you don't have money to donate, though, that's O.K. - come anyway!

-Rich

Dear Dean,

We should meet with you to discuss the future of the workshop. Can we meet at API Legal Outreach at 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, on Tuesday, Sep. 9th at 4 pm? Let me know if this is a good time, or please suggest another time...

Thanks,

Rich

Fourth of July BBQ

2008-06-28T21:54:00.001-07:00

JTA supporters and friends,

JapanTown Arts (JTA Workshop) will celebrate the 4th of July with a barbeque and you are all invited! It's 'potluck,' in the broadest sense, so bring food - for thought, body, or soul - and join us at the workshop, located at 1830 Sutter on July 5th (sorry, Boku, but hopefully you can make it for a little while). As has become barbeque tradition, workshop veterans (me, Leon, Pete, and Leland, basically) will provide meat and some of the liquid refreshments. But don't be dissuaded from bringing your favorite brats to toss on the barbie, Doll. And spread the word to that friend interested in community, Art. We'll probably be there all day, Doris, (O.K., I'll stop) but will fire up the grill around 2 in the afternoon. Stop by, say hi, and grab a plate...

-Rich

Our Space Usage

2008-06-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hey...does it occur to anyone that if we don't appear to be using the space that NLF will take it back????

July 4th BBQ at JTA

2008-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Rich Tokeshi, president of J-Town Arts, has declared a BBQ on July 4th at J-Town Arts. Details are sketchy at the moment as to what time the event begins. But we will post the time as soon as information is available.

J-Town Arts

New Roots, Deep Shoots 2

first program of Part II of DEEP ROOTS, NEW SHOOTS on Saturday, January 14

At the old JAM...1982

Leland was a rat leaving the sinking ship in the beginning.

Deep Roots, New Shoots

Goodbye JTA Space!

Moving on....

JAPANTOWN ARTS NOTES

The Party's Over

Deep Roots New Shoots

Next Men Art Work July 11th

J-Town Art Second Monthly Art Sale

MEN ArT WORK 2nd Meeting 6/21/11

Leon's fourth rewrite

Call To Asian American Artists To Submit Works of Art To J-Town Arts Monthly Benefit Art Sale

Meeting minutes

GARAGE SALE!!! 6.11.11

Pearl Knotting by Melinda Kanios

Artists from the Heart: A Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser

J-Town Arts Monthly Art Sale

MEN ArT WORK

garage sale on June 11th

Monthly Art Sale at JTA

Minutes from the April 12th Meeting

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES: 4/26/11

Phoenix Rising

Garage Sale on April 16th Report

GARAGE SALE!!!

Day of Remembrance 2011

Dog's Best Friend

NEW YEAR POEM FOR 2011 by Pete K. Yamamoto

J-town Arts invites you to be a Woman Making Art

December 8th Meeting Notes by Leon

Holiday Arts Faire at J-Town Arts

Testing

Give A Bit of Heart--JTA Holiday Art Sale

Last Garage Sale of the Year!

Lao Iu Mien -- Panwang Festival Dance

Chinese Restaurant Workers Dish on Employers - The Bay Citizen

Announcements

Chinatown!

Party at Japantown Arts

Notes from 4/20/10 JTA meeting

APILO Youth Summer Screen Printing Workshop

Al Robles Passing -- First Anniversary

PETE YAMAMOTO READS HIS POETRY!

Our Inventory

Us at the Oshogatsu Festival

KIMOCHI'S SILVER BELLS ARTS & CRAFTS FAIRE

Headlands, Monday Morning

O'Sullivan 5402 High Gloss Epoxy Wet Surface Liner

The Last Garage Sale--October 24, 2009

SPACING AND FIGHTING AND THINKING

AWESOME!!!

Nihonmachi Street Fair

JTA By-Laws Draft

Some Highlights from the JTA Future Meeting - Mission Statement

Kai Doi

Nihonmachi Street Fair Poster

Al Robles Celebration at Glide

JTA East Bay Summer BBQ

The Future of J-Town Arts

tres musketeros

East Bay BBQ

Thank You

Never Our Intention

Good News! Judi Nihei, woman MC

On Male Chavinism and "Feminine Hand"

CAN YOU HELP OUT WITH SETUP AND CLEANUP AT NJAHS FOR AL'S TRIBUTE?

Tribute to Al Robles June 27th 2pm

JTA Mission Position

Tribute to Al Robles June 27th

Ronald Takaki, ethnic studies pioneer, dies at 70

clean up...clean up...everybody do your share...

Him Mark Lai, Chinese American Historian

Nazdar® 2700 Series Aquasafe Water-Based All Purpose Gloss Screen Ink

mission

Two Poems dedicated to Al Robles by Pete Kenichi Yamamoto

Garage Sale $560 *WOO HOO*

Garage Sale $560 WOO HOO