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.

Announcement: Karen Tanaka Lucas Named 2026 Mondale Gala Keynote Speaker (Sat, November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

JASM is happy to announce Karen Tanaka Lucas as the keynote speaker for the 29th Mondale Gala on Saturday, November 14th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

In her keynote, Karen will share an important chapter in Minnesota history.

Most Minnesotans are unaware that Japanese was the first language ever taught by U.S. Military Intelligence and that 6,000 Japanese linguists, mostly second-generation Nisei, were secretly trained here in our state for military language intelligence during WWII. Karen’s father was in the first class at Camp Savage in 1942, and she will share his story.

About Karen Tanaka Lucas:

Karen Tanaka Lucas is a Sansei, third-generation Japanese American, born in post WWII Occupied Japan where her father was stationed with the U.S. Military Intelligence Service. She considers herself a native Californian and received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University. But since attending graduate school, medical school and residency at the University of Minnesota, she’s been a Minnesotan for over 50 years. She retired after over 30 years as a family physician with HealthPartners. She is a board member with the Twin Cities Japanese American Citizens League and volunteers on their education committee.

Registration for the 29th Mondale Gala will open soon! Keep an eye on your inbox and the JASM website for registration details.

We look forward to seeing you at the Gala!

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Mondale Gala Informaion

Please join us for the Mondale Gala 2026 to celebrate the Mondale Award recipient and take part in this special evening on Saturday, November 14th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

Reception: 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Banquet & Program: 6:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Dress Code: Business Attire or Kimono

Do you need Kimono dressing assistance? Registration will be open soon.

Early Bird (register by Oct. 11)

$160/ Non-member

$110/ JASM member

Regular (register Oct. 12 - Oct. 30)

$190/ Non-member

$130/ JASM member

Post-Deadline (register Oct. 31 - Nov. 6)

$210/Non-Member

$150/Member

JASM invites you to become a member! Please sign up here and then register for the Mondale Gala 2026.

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.)