A free map-drawing workshop for senior citizens will be held on Thursday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center’s George J. Doizaki Gallery, 244 S. San Pedro St. (at Third Street) in Little Tokyo.
JACCC Artistic Director Hirokazu Kosaka said, “When I was in the third grade, my teacher gave our class an assignment where we asked our grandparents to draw a detailed map depicting their childhood memory of their hometown. My teacher received over 30 maps from the class and pasted them all onto the blackboard.
“Some of the drawings dated back more than 60 years. We noticed how the landscape had changed, especially that many of the trees and buildings were no longer there. Back then, as the children of the future generation, we realized that things are impermanent and that changes takes place everyday.
“I would like to share my project with you: My request of the community of Little Tokyo is that you help me by drawing a simple map of your childhood town. Please include your name, the name of your childhood town and the approximate time period (year) of the townscape you have drawn.
“The map drawings will be collected and an artist will help me to transfer the images into large woodblock prints to be exhibited in and around Little Tokyo.
“I would greatly appreciate it if you would help me realize this project. Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.”
Coffee, tea and light snacks will be served.
For more information, contact Kosaka at (213) 628-2725.