After 5: Japanese calligraphy brings words to life

Japan native Izumi Loomis brings instruction of the art of Japanese calligraphy to Springfield this week, beginning with a March 3 workshop at the Creamery Arts Center, 411 N. Sherman Parkway.

Organized by the Springfield Regional Arts Council, Loomis will share her years of study with attendees on three successive Monday nights concluding March 17.

Loomis learned the art as a young child from her grandfather, and she holds a degree in Japanese calligraphy.

“That’s an individual art form,” says Sandra CH Smith, executive director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council, adding that finished pieces from the workshops will have multiple uses. “People will be able to make things they feel proud of and hang in their homes. They also make nice gifts. People really appreciate something that’s been made by a friend or relative.”

Loomis says others are interested in learning the writing style due to its stress-relieving attributes.

“You have to calm yourself to do a good job on this,” Loomis says.

She appreciates the way Westerners have incorporated Oriental characters into design, from wall art to personal body art.

“I’ve seen people wearing Chinese characters in tattoos,” says Loomis, who’s married to Springfield insurance agent Aaron Loomis and moved here in April 2006. “Sometimes it’s wrong, but it’s nice to see in this Western country.”

Smith says Japanese art programs have been well-received by arts council patrons and attendees, citing First Night Springfield and the Cherry Blossom Kite Festival, which is March 29 at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden at Nathanael Greene Park.

“It’s been a really popular thing,” Smith says. “There’s always been lines miles long for (the) workshops.”

Also helping to bring Japanese culture into the Ozarks is SRAC Education Assistant Mika Logan, who developed the idea for a Japanese washi egg design workshop later this month.

Japanese Calligraphy

Japan native Izumi Loomis demonstrates the ancient art of Japanese writing Monday evenings March 3–17; cost is $40 and includes supplies.

Egg Design Series

Pysanky egg design

Instructor Jamie Lewis teaches how to make Ukrainian-styled eggs on March 7 or 8; cost is $40 and includes supplies.

Washi egg design

Instructor Mika Logan demonstrates the art of Japanese washi paper applied to wooden or plastic eggs on March 15; cost is $25 and includes supplies.

Fearless Drawing Series

Springfield artist and Custom Art and Design owner Mary Hamilton teaches a beginner’s class on Tuesday mornings March 11–April 15 and an intermediate class on Tuesday mornings April 22–May 27; the cost for either course is $100 and includes supplies.

Spanish Mosaics: The Gaudí Influence

Instructor Christine Schilling covers sculptural form with ceramic tiles influenced by Antoni Gaudí, known for his architectural design in Barcelona, Spain; cost for the Monday evening class March 24–April 14 is $65 and includes supplies.

Movie-making Workshop

Motion picture producer and director Mike Strain of Willard-based Oaktree Studios teaches how to make a movie March 29–30; cost for the two-day session, which covers producing, directing, casting, shooting, budgeting, marketing and distributing, is $60.

For more information on these workshops, call Springfield Regional Arts Council at (417) 862-2787 or go online to www.springfieldarts.org.