Virginia Huber

Saitama Journal - On Tour

Madison, Wisconsin

Drawings and Reminiscences from the 2004 sketchbook

"Well organized art exchange!"
"Three art exhibitions!"
"Workshops and demos!"
"Tea ceremonies and renewed friendships!"
"Meals were works of art!"
"No more attempted landings during typhoons!"

These and other exclamations came from the fourteen South Central Wisconsin Painter and Sculptors Association members and their 6 companions, who flew to Tokyo, Japan, for the return visit of the Wisconsin-Saitama Art Exchange 2002 (Oct 1 - 8). An additional nine artists sent work for exhibition.

Hosts and visitors had prepared two years for this one-week event. Some worked into the night - night after night. On our side of the Pacific, we Americans had joked that trying to organize a group of artists to come and go together was like trying to herd cats.