Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797 – 1858), 10th Station: Hakone, circa 1833-4 from Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido, woodblock print, courtesy of Reading Public Museum, Reading, Pennsylvania.

June 18, 2016

Tanabata (Banner) Festival  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

All Day: Exhibition Viewing with Docents, On View: Japanese Fish Kite

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Tanzaku Banners

Free Event RSVP educ.marketing@wcmfa.org or 301-739-5727

In Japan, Tanabata is celebrated by writing special messages, wishes, prayers, and poetry on narrow strips of colored paper called tanzaku and hanging them on bamboo poles or trees. After learning about this tradition, children and adults will write their own messages and create their own tanzaku banners to display in the Museum’s Kaylor Garden before taking them home at the end of their visit.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Origami

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Kokedama: Bonsai 2.0 Lecture by Sonya Evanisko

Free Event RSVP educ.marketing@wcmfa.org or 301-739-5727

Professor Evanisko’s lecture is based on the February Shepherd University Phaze 2 Gallery exhibit “Like Moss Between the Cracks” – living sculptural kokedama. The exhibit featured 12 kokedamas plus a photo installation. She relates the moss filling the cracks to kintsugi where a crack in pottery is replaced with gold and the repair becomes part of the object – not disguised. Professor Evanisko spent her sabbatical researching plant material and assembling kokedama in her studio.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Along the Eastern Road: Hiroshige’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido,  Gallery Talk by Claudia Giannini

Free Event RSVP educ.marketing@wcmfa.org or 301-739-5727

With a background in art history and art and  experience in printmaking, art educator Claudia Giannini will lead museum visitors through the exhibition, explaining subject matter and printmaking techniques. She will explain the historical and cultural background of the Hiroshige prints while also discussing their artistic design and aesthetic beauty. Landmarks, shrines, and natural views will be identified in the 53 Stations of the Tokaido.

Pictures from April 16, 2016 Hanami Family and Cherry Blossom Festival

 This exhibition was organized by the Reading Public Museum, Reading PA.

Sponsored by  The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Community Foundation of Washington County, The Hershey Family Foundation and the Waltersdorf Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Washington County