Marilyn Chase, the biographer of San Francisco artist Ruth Asawa (1926 – 2013), will share highlights of her research into the life of the beloved sculptor and advocate for art education. Chase, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and journalism teacher, spent five years plumbing Asawa’s archives at Stanford University and interviewing more than 80 of her family, friends and colleagues.
Her book, Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa, recounts Asawa’s childhood on her parents’ farm in Norwalk, which was interrupted by World War II and the incarceration of Japanese Americans.
Member Events
When:
Friday, July 18, 2025
Instructor:
Marilyn Chase
When:
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Instructor:
Swosti Kayastha
Join us for a special event featuring a curatorial tour and viewing of Nostalgic Expressions, the second of two exhibitions of Materialized Thoughts showcasing works by first-generation Nepali American artists. The exhibition explores the complexities of diasporic life — navigating between cultures, preserving heritage and shaping new identities. The artists reflect on themes of belonging, memory and resilience. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the artworks and gain deeper insights through the curatorial perspective.
When:
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon experiencing Japanese food, culture, music and the Obon Odori dance, a centuries old ritual performed during the Obon festival, a Buddhist holiday honoring the spirits of the ancestors.
The festival opens at 1:00 p.m. with a food bazaar, an ikebana floral
exhibit and a Japanese tea ceremony. There will be various music performances, including traditional and modern Japanese music. We will meet at 3.00 p.m. in front of the church for a tour by Rev. Harry Bridge, during which he will explain the history of Jodo Shinshu - Pure Land Buddhism. After the talk, we will be escorted to a special seating area to enjoy...
When:
Friday, August 22, 2025
Instructor:
Robert Mintz
This exhibition of ceramics reimagined through a dazzling diversity of forms, textures and techniques showcases recent gifts from the collection of Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David Stein. The world of contemporary Japanese ceramics is brimming with dynamic approaches to the medium of clay. The unconventional techniques in this exhibit expands the possibilities of this art form with a new generation of potters building on the legacy of the mingei folk art movement.
