Glenn Tanaka, President of Orange Coast Optimist Club, presented international photo journalist and fine artist, Richard Fukuhara, a $5,000 sponsorship check for Shadows for Peace: For the Sake of the Children, an exhibition designed to travel internationally. Optimist clubs throughout the world are dedicated to the scholastic, physical, moral, and civic development of the youths in every community. OCO is the largest Optimist club in the United States.
The exhibition, incubated at the USC Institute for Genetic Medicine Art Gallery, explores the shadows of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki WWII experience that to this day cloud our minds, spirits and health. Through art, dance, music, and video, Fukuhara’s exhibition provides a cathartic, integrative healing experience that refocuses on a bright future for the next generation and those yet unborn. Fukuhara’s Shadows: For the Sake of the Children, the incubation title, in collaboration with Zoltan Tokes, PhD, Ikebana artist and professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC where he also teaches neurobiology, is currently on exhibition at the USC Institute for Genetic Medicine Art Gallery. Mr. Fukuhara serves on the Board of the LA/Nagoya Sister Cities Affiliation (LANSCA) and LANSCA has endorsed this exhibition for its ability to effect local and global citizen diplomacy.
On Saturday, February 23, 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. a Global Development Forum at the USC IGM Art Gallery will present keynote speakers, Dr. Jimmy Hara, who administered to many Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), and Lisa Wong, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wong is also a musician, former President of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra and author of the book, From Scales to Scalpels: Doctors who Practice the Healing Arts of Music and Medicine. Fukuhara will conduct an interactive tour and talk on the exhibition, a light supper will be served followed by a screening of the Ironweed Club documentary, The Children of Fukushima by Dan Reed (60 min.)
Seating is limited. Please call 714-271-7646 to rsvp and for questions.
The USC IGM Art Gallery is located at 2250 Alcazar St., 2nd floor. RSVP for Saturday February 23, 1pm – 4:30 pm forum, 4:30 – 6:15, supper and mixing, 6:30- 8:30, Screening and discussion.