Painting by Junichi Hotta.

“Far East to Down East” features work by 16 Japanese artists at MOTHERS Art Gallery.

An opening reception was held Sept. 10, and the show remains on view until Sept. 21.

The artists from Sakai, near Osaka, Japan, are members of International Art Bridge, which is a group dedicated to artistic and cultural exchanges and exhibitions all over the world. Their work is contemporary yet uses traditional Japanese materials and methods. It’s a meeting of East and West, old and new. 

The group, past and present, include national living treasures, tenured art professors at major Japanese universities, and professional artists. Their means of expression include painting, drawing, sculpture, print making, paper, mixed media, glass, photography and calligraphy.

Whitney Vosburgh, of MOTHERS Gallery, says, “I lived in Tokyo as a child as my father worked for Pan American Airways. In 2005, I joined the Berkeley-Sakai Association, a sister city relationship, and started a series of ongoing art and cultural exchanges between Berkeley and Sakai artists. After a nearly 20 year relationship, I invited Art Bridge artists to exhibit at MOTHERS Gallery.”

MOTHERS Art Gallery is at 19 Church Hill Circle, Columbia Falls. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday or by appointment by calling 510-504-1109. Learn more at www.mothersartgallery.com.