Japan America Society of Minnesota upcoming events

Experience Taking Shape: Exhibition at Normandale Community College (in-person) (Tue, August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

After its display at the 2026 Obon Festival, Taking Shape, a large-scale ceramic installation by artist Juliane Shibata featuring ceramic cherry blossoms created through JASM community workshops, will be exhibited at Normandale Community College as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Normandale Japanese Garden. We hope you'll visit the exhibition and experience this evolving installation.

Taking Shape | Celebrating 50 Years of the Normandale Japanese Garden

August 18 – September 28, 2026

Location: Normandale Community College

Gallery of Fine Arts

9700 France Ave S., Bloomington, MN 55431

Exhibition dates: August 18 – September 28, 2026

Opening Reception: Wednesday, September 16, 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

50^th Anniversary of the Japanese Garden Celebration: Saturday, September 19,

12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Gallery Website: https://www.normandale.edu/academics/degrees-certificates/art/fine-arts-gallery.html

After being displayed at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Taking Shape will be exhibited at Normandale Community College in conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary of their Japanese Garden. In mid-July, Juliane will work with two sections of ceramics students at Normandale; their ceramic creations will contribute to the installation in the Gallery of Fine Arts.

About the Artist and Organizer

Juliane Shibata is a ceramic artist and educator based in Northfield, Minnesota. Her work is informed by the Japanese concept of mujō (mutability and impermanence) as well as the Pattern & Decoration movement. Juliane draws viewers to her work through the rhythm of repeated forms that visually energize the space around them. Her temporary installations in unexpected spaces draw attention to both the nature of our own existence in relation to the constructed environment and to traces of activity in and around the architecture we encounter.

Recent grants include a 2026 Forecast Public Art Mid-Career Project Grant, a 2026 Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, a 2025 Center for Craft Teaching Artist Cohort Grant, and a 2021 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists. Juliane has been a resident artist at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, VA; Art Omi in Ghent, NY; The Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China; Starworks Center in Star, NC; and the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory at the University of Minnesota.

Taking Shape is funded by Carleton College, Forecast Public Art, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

This project is supported by Forecast Public Art through funding from The McKnight Foundation.

Juliane Shibata is a fiscal year 2026 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

2026 Mondale Award Nominations (Mon, August 31, 2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

We are currently accepting nominations for the Mondale Award for Japan–Minnesota Partnership. If you know an individual or organization that exemplifies this spirit, we’d love to hear from you!

Please click here for a list of criteria for the Mondale Award and here to nominate someone.

The due date for nominations is August 31. 2026.

Every year, the Japan America Society of Minnesota presents the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership to an individual or organization that has been nominated by the membership and selected by a committee of the Board of Directors. Purpose: The Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership is presented by JASM to recognize outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota.

After Walter Mondale returned to Minnesota in 1997, having served with distinction as Ambassador to Japan, JASM created the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership. The award was first presented to Joan and Walter Mondale to recognize his work as an ambassador to Japan and her ongoing efforts to promote the arts in both countries. The Mondale's epitomized JASM's core value of fostering meaningful connection between Minnesota and Japan. Through this award, JASM celebrates individuals and organizations who are dedicated to bringing Japan and Minnesota closer together.

Recent awardees include:

JoAnn Blatchley (2025)

Ann McCarthy and Patricia Thornton (2024)

Dick Stahl (2023)

Gayle and Judith Fleming (2022)

Sarah Walbert (2021)

Bill Deef (2020)

Patricia Katagiri (2019)

You can find a complete list of awardees by clicking here.

We cannot wait to receive your nominations!

Akikaze: An Evening of Rakugo with Katsura Sunshine (In English) (Thu, September 10, 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Registration now open!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of Japanese storytelling and laughter as JASM presents internationally acclaimed rakugo performer Katsura Sunshine. The performance will be in English.

For many years, JASM has presented Harukaze ("Spring Breeze"), a performing arts program showcasing talented artists and cultural performers. This year, however, we are delighted to feature Katsura Sunshine in the fall, and in honor of the season, we are pleased to present this special event as Akikaze ("Autumn Breeze") on Thursday, September 10 at Sundin Music Hall. (Google Maps)

Whether you are new to Japanese culture or a longtime admirer of the performing arts, this event offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most beloved traditional art forms through the engaging and accessible performance style of Katsura Sunshine.

What is Rakugo?

Rakugo is a traditional Japanese storytelling art that has entertained audiences for over 400 years. Seated on a cushion and using only a fan and a hand towel as props, a single storyteller brings multiple characters to life through expressive narration, humor, and wit. Blending clever dialogue, memorable characters, and universal themes, rakugo offers a unique glimpse into Japanese culture while delivering laughter that transcends language and borders.

Event Details

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Door opens at 6:30 p.m.

Rakugo performance starts 7:00 p.m.

Sundin Music Hall (Google Maps)

1531 Hewitt Ave, St Paul, MN 55104

Admission

Pre-sale

$40 Non-member

$35 Member

Door sale ticket

$45 For all

***The registrations are not refundable, but transferable. Please let JASM know the name and email address of the person you want to transfer your ticket(s) to.

jasm@mn-japan.org

About Katsura Sunshine

Katsura Sunshine is an internationally acclaimed rakugo performer born in Toronto, Canada. In 2008, he became the fifteenth apprentice of legendary rakugo master Katsura Bunshi VI and completed his traditional apprenticeship in 2011, becoming one of the very few non-Japanese performers to professionally master this centuries-old art form.

Since 2019, Sunshine has maintained a long-running Off-Broadway residency at New World Stages in New York City while continuing to perform internationally. Through his engaging performances in English and Japanese, he has become one of the most recognizable ambassadors of rakugo outside Japan.

2026 JASM Fundraiser Golf Scramble (in-person) (Sat, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

FORE!!! JASM will be holding our 6th annual charity golf scramble event on Saturday, September 26 at Pioneer Creek Golf Course in Maple Plain, MN. Enjoy a fun day of competition with friends while supporting JASM. This event is limited to 72 participants. The format of this event is a four-person team best-ball scramble. Each team member takes every shot, but only the best ball counts towards the final score. Expect to go low!

Do not worry if you do not have a team. Sign-up as an individual and JASM will make team arrangements for you. Club rental is also available.

There is no better way to meet your fellow JASM members and golf enthusiasts!

Early Bird Pricing (through September 4):

Member: $85

Non-Member: $110

Regular Pricing (September 5 – September 26):

Member: $110

Non-Member: $125

For further information, please contact:

Tom Haeg, 612-940-3351 tomhaeg@msn.com

Marc Blehert, 763-280-2108 mblehert@yahoo.com

Save the Date for the 2026 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person) (Sat, November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Please mark your calendars for the 2026 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala. It will be held in person on Saturday, November 14th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

Registration will open at the end of September.

Both the Mondale Award and Mondale Scholarship will be presented at this event. The Mondale Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation, and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota.

The Mondale Scholarship is presented to students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.

Please keep an eye out for registration information which will come in September.

2026 Annual Meeting (in-person) (Thu, December 10, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m. at our Corporate Member, Taiyo International, Inc.’s office (Google Maps).

At the meeting, we will reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next. We’ll discuss new ways to further JASM’s mission and hold elections for board members.

Registration priority will be given to voting members.
If you wish to bring a guest, please contact jasm@mn-japan.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Parking information:

Please use Lilac Drive S to enter the parking garage on the east side. If arriving from Utica Street, take the road in front of the Taiyo office building, which will lead you to Lilac Drive and the parking garage entrance. There is no charge for parking. (Click here for a sky view map and here for the street view image of the parking garage.)