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L to R: MAC Board President- Liliana Cunha, MAC Board Member- Lucia
Zacha, MSCA Board Members- Debbie Crowningshield, Marci Van Sicklen,
Mike L. Evans
Mendocino Sister Cities Association
presents gifts from Sister City, Miasa-Omachi
Created by Calligrapher, Keiko Takei
Presented by Mendocino Sister Cities Association
While touring the historic 400 year old Nakamura House in Miasa, Japan
this past July the 2007 Sister City group from Mendocino were treated to
a demonstration of the ancient art form of Japanese calligraphy.
Well known Japanese calligraphy artist, Keiko Takei (who lives in
Omachi), brushed several different pieces for the Mendocino group. Two
of the pieces were recently presented to the Mendocino Middle School and
Mendocino Art Center.
After creating the piece, “Flowers rising through the snow under the
moonlight,” Ms. Takei announced it was a gift for the Mendocino Middle
School and then proceeded to make a duplicate for the Miasa Middle School.
She then went on to brush “The light of the Flame” saying it was
intended for the Mendocino Art Center. This piece was brushed on red
paper to symbolize the glow of the flame.
The paper used for the MMS piece was hand made in Miasa from processed hemp. In the past the Miasa area was well known for its high quality hemp products of paper, clothes, rope and other traditionally made
textile products. In fact the translation of Miasa is “Beautiful Hemp.”
“These gifts are my contributions of furthering the friendship between
Mendocino and Omachi.” Ms. Takei later confided to co-leader Mike Evans.
“Hopefully we can encourage the continuing art exchange between our two
cities.”
What Bill Zacha started seems to be carrying on. The gifts were presented to MMS on September 20 and to the MAC on September 27, 2007.
Mendocino Middle School Picture:
L to R: MSCA Pres.- Mike L. Evans, Mendocino School District Board
Members- Rod Jones, Charlie Acker, MMS Principal Bronwyn Rhoades, MSCA
Board Members- Debbie Crowningshield, Marci Van Sicklen, Shizuko
McConathy, MSD Superintendent- Catherine Stone, MSD Board Members-
Gloria Liner, Michael Schaeffer, Natalie Cox
Calligraphy Artist, Keiko Takei
