Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Cowichan Valley Arts Council "Meeting of the Master" Workshop with Japanese Master Tetsuo Koyama

The Cowichan Valley Arts Council is pleased to announce a once in a lifetime opportunity for fabric artists in the Pacific Northwest.  Tetsuo Koyama, master of the ancient art of Japanese fabric dying and woodblock printing will instruct a five-day workshop, “Meeting the Master” - an interactive workshop and visual arts show of the woodblock and yuzen fabric dye art of Japanese master, Tetsuo Koyama, November 22nd to 26thin Duncan, BC, Canada.  Local, acclaimed fabric artist, Gloria Daly will host the workshop at Studio G Art, located at 7298 Somenos Rd, Duncan BC V9L 5Z9 250-748-8731.

Master Koyama, an important art educator in Japan, studied the specialized art from notable experts including his father.  This centuries-old form involves special dyes, wood block printing and rice glue resist.  The method was traditionally used to decorate the kimonos.  This will be the first time the 81 year-old artist-educator has visited North America. 

As part of the workshop, participants will design and decorate a piece of cloth using authentic woodblock and traditional dye techniques.   Mr. Koyama will be assisted by Ms. Yuko Yamamoto, an internationally known fabric artist in her own right and former student of the Master, who now lives in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. 

In addition to the “Meeting the Master” workshop, there will be a show of three of Master Koyama's kimono at PORTALS – the Cowichan Valley Arts Council Centre of Arts, Culture and Heritage, 2687 James Street, Duncan BC , November 19th to 26th  - 10:00 – 5:00 Monday thru Saturday.   

“This is a wonderful opportunity, particularly for the community’s fabric artists,” said Judy Brayden, Cowichan Arts Council Board member in charge of the show and workshop.  “One of our most important missions at CVAC is to encourage and foster art education and development in the community at large.  Master Koyama's visit is a rare opportunity to learn about an art form that is such an integral part of a country's culture and history.  We are incredibly fortunate that Master Koyama has agreed to make this long trip to share his knowledge and expertise, and we owe this to the tireless efforts of new community member, Yuko Yamamoto”, she noted.

Organizers anticipate that the 18 spaces for the workshop will fill quickly.  Early bird registration takes place January 15th to March 1, 2014.  For more information please contact Judy Brayden at cvartscouncil@shaw.ca or (250) 746-1633 or visit http://www.cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca


Thank you,
Morgan Saddington
Office Manager
Cowichan Valley Arts Council
250-746-1633