Supporting Tsunami Bereaved Families with Art for 10 Years | Kanazawa College of Art Collaboration Workshop Concludes | Ashinaga Ikuei-kai
The 10-year collaboration workshop between Kanazawa College of Art, Mitani Sangyo, and Ashinaga Ikuei-kai supporting tsunami bereaved families has held its final session.Summary
The art workshop, held annually since 2016 at Tohoku Rainbow Houses (Sendai, Ishinomaki, Rikuzentakata) for families bereaved by the tsunami, organized by a student circle from Kanazawa College of Art (Kanazawa University of Art) in cooperation with Mitani Sangyo Corporation, reached its 10th and final session. The workshops utilized the university's artistic expertise to create engaging activities like handmade soap, face-shaped magnets, and kusudama (paper flower balls), often using materials meticulously prepared by students, such as parts created with 3D printers, ensuring both ease of use and high-quality results. This collaboration began after local newspaper coverage highlighted the students' initial small-scale efforts to heal the hearts of disaster-affected children through art, prompting Mitani Sangyo to offer support for 'events and spaces' rather than just material goods. Over ten years, the program provided creative immersion to 113 children and guardians. Organizers emphasized the importance of sustained support, and Mitani Sangyo plans to shift the focus of this long-term aid to the Noto earthquake-affected areas next.
(Source：あしなが育英会)