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 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.)