A “Taste of Art” class Tuesday evening at the Rosenzweig Arts Center offers participants a unique way of welcoming 2016. The Columbus Arts Council hosts a session in Kakizome, with Chieko Iwata. Kakizome is specifically the “first writing” of Japanese calligraphy at the beginning of a new year. Iwata will conduct the session, teaching participants to write their wish for 2016 using traditional brushes, ink stone and paper.
The arts council’s program of cultural outreach begins at 6:30 p.m. at the arts center located at 501 Main St. in downtown Columbus. Cost for the class is $20. Register by 5 p.m. Jan. 12 by calling the CAC at 662-328-2787.
Iwata will provide examples of Japanese characters for several popular sentiments for the new year, such as “happy” and “peace.”
“But this is a personal thing, so if they want to make a (different) wish or resolution, I will try to make that happen,” she said Thursday.
Iwata joined the faculty of Mississippi State University in August 2014 to help Golden Triangle communities better understand Japanese culture. A resident of Japan, wife and mother of two grown children, Iwata works in support of the Japanese Outreach Program. She has led classes in schools and communities on topics such as the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Origami, traditional Japanese clothing, flower arrangement, storytelling and calligraphy.
She said teaching Japanese business etiquette also has been particularly important at MSU because Japan is Mississippi’s largest external investor. The arrival of Yokohama Tire Company in West Point means Japanese companies are adding more jobs to the state and regional economy.
Iwata’s stay in the Golden Triangle is slated to end in July, but she is enjoying her time in Mississippi in the meantime.
“People here are warm. They hug and smile and say ‘hi,'” she said. “It fits me here.”
Columbus Arts Council “Taste of Art” sessions are offered on the second Tuesday of each month, providing a varied sampler of mediums throughout the year.
For more information or to register by 5 p.m. Tuesday, call the arts council at 662-328-2787. The arts center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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