Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain (ABC 7; David Ono)
In the eyes of ABC 7 Eyewitness News Anchor David Ono, lessons from the Heart Mountain concentration camps still resonate today. In the four-part special, Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain, Ono explores the camp’s history and legacy.
Witness tells the story of the camp through photos from the Hirahara collection. While incarcerated at Heart Mountain, Patti Hirahara’s father and grandfather—both avid photographers—secretly built a darkroom under their barrack. They would go on to shoot and print over 2,000 photos cataloguing life inside the camp. Interspersed are interviews with those connected to the camps, from those incarcerated such as Judge Lance Ito and his mother, to Shirley Higuchi, Chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation Board of Directors.
The Japanese American National Museum plays a role in this documentary as well. Several interviews were filmed in the Museum’s Common Ground: The Heart of Community exhibition, supplemented by archival footage from the Museum’s permanent collection.
David Ono’s Witness is a moving look into the Japanese American experience during some of America’s darkest hours, told by the people who witnessed it firsthand and complemented by striking photos from inside the camps.
NBA veteran and current University of San Francisco coach Rex Walters will discuss his experiences at the screening. (Photo courtesy of the University of San Francisco)
Drop by the Museum this Saturday, June 22nd at 2pm for court-side—or rather, screen-side—seats to Hapa Hoops! We will be showing the documentary Crossover followed by a conversation with hapa NBA veteran Rex Walters. The program is free with admission to the Museum.
Produced originally for the More Than a Game exhibition (2000) by the Museum’s Watase Media Arts Center, and directed by Justin Lin (of the Fast and Furious series), Crossover is a fast-paced look at the history and purpose of Japanese American basketball leagues over the years. First established in the 1930s as an opportunity for Japanese Americans to participate in competitive sports, the leagues have flourished over the years—bringing about questions of how to adapt to an increasingly diverse player base.
Walters got his basketball start playing in one such youth league. Before making his professional debut with the New Jersey Nets, he helped lead the University of Kansas Jayhawks to the Final Four in 1993. He currently works as head basketball coach at the University of San Francisco.
This program is presented in conjunction with our exhibition Visible & Invisible: A Hapa Japanese American History, running through August 25th. Visible & Invisible explores the diverse experiences and history of mixed-roots and mixed-race Japanese Americans through photos, historical artifacts, and interactive elements.
Gary Baseman, "The Door Is Always Open," 2012, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 inches
For a limited time…
Enter the fantastic world of artist, illustrator, animator, and toy designer Gary Baseman in his first major museum exhibition of his life and work!
Baseman’s vinyl figurines have inspired countless other contemporary and anime artists, spawning a diverse international genre from the United States, Japan, and around the globe. This exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center is presented in a creative gallery setting evoking Baseman’s childhood home, replete with family snapshots and furnishings.
You may remember Gary Baseman as one of our featured artists from our 2008 exhibition Giant Robot Biennial: 50 Issues. Re-visit his world with this special, limited-time offer.
Present your active JANM Membership card at the Skirball admission desk and enjoy 50% off admission to view Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open. Offer valid for up to four people per membership for walk-up admission only, now through August 11, 2013. Not valid with other discounts.
In collaboration with the…
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
The Yuki family meeting up for a photo during the Silent Auction. (Photo by Tracy Kumono)
The Gala was a big hit, with over 1,000 guests. The Dinner program, themed Vision, Values, Voices, included a special tribute to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye during the live Bid for Education. Senator Inouye was an early supporter of the Museum who influenced the creation of several major educational programs including the Bid for Education and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.
JANM President/CEO G.W. Kimura and Gordon Yamate, Chair of the Board of Trustees on stage at the Gala. (Photo by Tracy Kumono)
Our annual Gala is our major fundraiser for the year, made possible by the ongoing support of our many dedicated donors. The funds we raise through the event helps to continue the innovative work that we do throughout the year.
Volunteer photographer Tracy Kumono has graciously created a slide show of photos from the evening along with posting the complete set of her photos on her website. Guests may order individual prints by clicking the “Add to Cart” button on Tracy’s website.
JANM President/CEO G.W. Kimura and Gala Dinner Co-Chair Tammie Kanda of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. with the winners of this year's Lexus Opportunity Drawing. (Photo by Russell Kitagawa)
We thank Toyota for their generous support and to all who participated in the 2013 Lexus Opportunity Drawing. Gary and Tomi Kobara of Arroyo Grande, CA, are the new owners of a 2013 Lexus LS 460 F sport sedan. Thanks especially to Toyota for contributing the Lexus for the drawing and for their generous ongoing support! Proceeds from the Lexus Opportunity Drawing support the Museum’s educational and outreach programs.
Wondering about the meaning behind the scrolls of hair in Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter? Interested in learning more about art?
Chinese-born artist Hong Zhang will be leading a gallery talk about her work in Portraiture Now at 1pm on Sunday, July 28. Her soft, yet subtly detailed charcoal works represent themes such as familial bonds and life’s twists and turns.
Zhang received her BFA in Chinese painting from the Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1994, before coming to America in 1996. She has an MFA from the University of California, Davis, and now resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter displays the diversity of contemporary Asian American identity through the groundbreaking work of seven visual artists—CYJO, Zhang Chun Hong, Hye Yeon Nam, Shizu Saldamando, Roger Shimomura, Satomi Shirai, and Tam Tran. The exhibition will close September 22, 2013.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear an acclaimed artist discuss her work! The talk is free with Museum admission.
The Japanese American National Museum is lucky enough to have a group of very dedicated volunteers supporting the institution every day by helping our visitors in the galleries, leading tours for thousands of school children, and at public programs; and behind-the-scenes with our archives, store, web, and other areas. Each volunteer cheerfully does their part to support the National Museum.
We celebrate the contributions of our volunteers each year at the Volunteer Recognition Awards. On May 18, 2013, we honored several volunteers who went that extra mile in 2012. It was a tough choice. In January through December of 2012, National Museum Volunteers contributed a total of 34,500 hours! Ten volunteers alone each clocked over 500 hours of service in 2012.
Past and present Miki Tanimura Award recipients with Greg Kimura, President/CEO.
At the event, we make an effort to appreciate all of our volunteers, whether they’ve been with us for one year or twenty-five.
One Year Volunteer Service Pins were given to Peter Fuster, Kyle Honma, Galaxy Kaji, Russell Kitagawa, Oko Sakata, and Sally Yamada.
Five Year pins went to Tami Hirai, Nana Imaizumi, Roy Kakuda, Frank Omatsu, Fujiko Takeda, and Mary Yamasaki.
Ten Year pins were given to John Kawasaki, Leland Kurisu, Yuri Matsunaga, Nobuko Shiokari, Jeanne Sultan, James Uyeda, and Midori Uyeda.
For fifteen years of service, we awarded pins to May Fujino, Kathryn Madara, and Eleanor Minami.
Recipients of the Twenty Year pins pose at the annual Recognition Awards Event with Board Member Gene Kanamori and JANM President/CEO Greg Kimura.
Twenty Year pins went to Linda Fujioka, Jean Hamamoto, Grace Hatae, Bambi Horiuchi, Joyce Inouye, Sumi Iwasaki, Barbara Keimi, Ruthie Kitagawa, and Sadako Sogioka.
Finally, for an astounding Twenty-Five years of service, pins were awarded to Joe and Marion Wada!
Next, Outstanding Volunteer Awards were given to those who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the National Museum.
Administration Award: Outstanding service & achievement in administrative/operational capacity
Lauren Nakasuji has been an asset to the Museum store since 1998, volunteering at least twice a month alongside her full-time “regular” job. In addition to working at the store sales table for public programs and taking a vacation day to help with the annual store inventory, she trains new staff and volunteers.
Ken Nakagawa was given the Community Award for his work in the Hirasaki National Resource Center.
Community Award: Outstanding service & achievement in working with the public and in the community
Ken Nakagawa has spent many Saturdays in the Hirasaki National Resource Center and has assisted in scheduling and training new volunteers to assist our visitors. While working in the resource center, he helps visitors find information such as camp and immigration records.
Tsuneo "T" Takasugi shows his Outstanding Volunteer Program Award alongside Greg Kimura.
Program Award: Outstanding service & achievement in educating our visitors
Saturday lead docent volunteer Tsuneo “T” Takasugi has been a Museum volunteer for over 12 years. He has shown great dedication to volunteering—even coming in after performing surgery all night on several occasions.
Miki Tanimura Outstanding Volunteer Award: Established to honor outstanding volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to the National Museum
Roy Sakamoto received the 2012 Miki Tanimura Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Finally, the Miki Tanimura Award is given to a volunteer who exemplifies several values, including enduring commitment and leadership. These award winners have changed the museum for the better.
Roy Sakamoto is one such difference maker. Since he began volunteering in 2005, he has dedicated over 250 hours per year to his work at the Museum in many different areas. He volunteers every Wednesday and Saturday as a docent in addition to training new volunteers as a Docent Coach, a program vital to the Museum. Roy has served as the Chair of the Volunteer Leadership Council and also helps teach the Japanese American history training courses, alongside countless other activities. It is this willingness to always help out and his knack for problem solving that make Roy an asset to the Museum.
Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you again to all of the volunteers who make this Museum special!
Photos courtesy of Russell Kitagawa & Tsuneo Takasugi
A tradition started years ago, this year’s JA Community Night has grown to become a larger community event with the involvement of JANM and other local Japanese American nonprofit organizations.
It’s a great night to be in Chavez Ravine, watch the Dodgers versus the Rockies, get a little JA culture, and be with friends. It’s all topped off with a post-game fireworks show.
This year’s ticket sales benefit a variety of JA organizations. Choose JANM when purchasing!
Tickets are first-come, first-served. Go to www.goforbroke.org/dodgers.asp to buy your tickets before June 24 – to ensure receipt of your tickets in a timely way!
Questions? Contact Charlien Church at cchurch@janm.org (213.830.5676) or Alison Wong at awong@janm.org (213.830.5657) in JANM Membership.
The traveling exhibition, Fighting For Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We, the People”? opens at the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, North Carolina this Saturday!
The Levine will be the 10th site where we have travelled this exhibition that presents the diverse perspectives of seven individuals whose lives and communities were forever changed by World War II.
The exhibition will be on display from January 19 through July 14, 2013. Go check it out this Sunday at the Levine Museum’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration 2013. Free admission, activities, & performances.
Just got my new LA Mag in the mail and saw that JANM was mentioned twice this month! One is an article called “Your Custom Cup” by Jenn Garbee, that talks about the Museum’s Generation Tea project with Chado.
Wishing you a Healthy & Happy New Year from the Japanese American National Museum!
"New Year's mochi" by Hisako Hibi. Hisako Hibi Collection (99.63.2)
This image is from JANM’s permanent collection. It’s a painting by artist Hisako Hibi and features a still-life of kagami mochi / okasane.
On the back is this inscription:
Hisako Hibi. Jan 1943 at Topaz. Japanese without mochi (pounded sweet rice) is no New Year! It was very sad oshogatsu (New Year). So, I painted okazari mochi in the internment camp.
Our cultural traditions bring our families & communities together, and has the power to give us comfort.
