Seika, Japan: The 20th Anniversary of Our Sister City

The exhibition opens Friday, May 9 and runs through Friday, May 30, 2025

Norman Arts Council is pleased to announce MAINSITE Gallery’s exhibit: Seika, Japan: The 20th Anniversary of Our Sister City in partnership with the Japan Outreach Initiative Program and Norman Cultural Connection. The show features the history of the sister city relationship, traditional textiles from Seika town, and traditional craft from Kyoto.

Takaaki Saida and Miho Harada, two artists from Japan will be presenting their work. Takaaki Saida is a fifth-generation artisan of Saida Stoneworks (est. 1902) and certified traditional craftsman. Takaaki Saida creates Kyoto stone crafts and lanterns using tools passed down through generations. Miho Harada is a Japanese textile artist and founder of PARANOMAD. Inspired by the beauty of woven fabrics and skilled artisans, she shares the charm of the Tango region with audiences in Japan and abroad.

The exhibition debuts with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and runs through Friday, May 30, 2025. The reception is free, open-to-the-public and coincides with the 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk taking place in Downtown Norman each month.

On Saturday, May 10th at 1:00 pm at MAINSITE Gallery, Takaaki Saida and Miho Harada will also host an Artist Talk, Demonstration & Interaction. Visitors will learn more about the traditional crafts, see them in action, and try the techniques themselves.

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The gallery has free daily admission.