One hundred people attended the ARTLINK forum hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.  The museum is a large modern building with a sculpture garden and some pathway extensions. The setting is exquisite.  Their collection houses a variety of conceptual installations and a new exhibit by a renowned Feminist Artist- Marlene Dumas.  If you know me, you know that I am passionate about advocating for persons with disabilities and access to the arts for all.  Even though this passion leads me, I do not feel worthy of this venue, but I oblige none-the-less.

David looked dashing in his brown wool blend suit jacket and consummate black artist shirt.  Sarah was beautiful in her green patterned silk blouse and fancy reading glasses.  Sarah continued to battle a cold that would not go away, so as she swayed with faint, I kept a close eye on her status.  What troopers these artists are!  It is difficult enough to travel in a country where there is little likelihood of being able to read and write their language.  It is exhausting to prepare presentations that take twice as long because of the translation.  I testify that Sarah and David did an excellent job of representing Florida, Creative Clay and the ARTLINK project.

The presentations are well received.  The speakers from the Japanese agencies have fresh, radiant photos that explain the project through color and smiles.  One presenter offers the thought that the essence of ARTLINK is to “promote some new change in your life”.  I really love this idea.  It is an inspiring afternoon and an honorable way to say goodbye to our Japanese colleagues.

After the forum closes, I race upstairs to view the Marlene Dumas exhibit.  Her work is amazing…large portraits of watercolor and ink paintings.  She is a prolific artist and the 2-story walls are satisfactorily filled with her work.  Some on paper, some on canvas.  I only have enough time to study the work for a few minutes, so I race back downstairs to the gift shop and buy the hardback catalogue to share with the member artists and staff at Creative Clay. 

Soon these experiences will be a flash of memories so a book may be the best way to relive this perfect day.