Our travels in Japan are about to end. In two more days we will get on a jumbo jet and endure 17 hours of flight back to Florida. We have one more presentation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo today, at that point we will say goodbye for now to our old and new Japanese friends and wait for them to join us in June.

On this trip I experienced some of the same from my trip in 2003, but our conversations and plans went deeper, we talked about the global reach of ARTLINK and are making plans together to attend the Shang Hai Expo in 2010.  We discussed at length our need for change in the world and the increase of socially responsive art programs, especially in developing nations.  The inclusion of the youngest generation of professional artists is essential and to encourage mentorship from our experienced artists.  The joint vision is now shared to guide and support the member artists to explore their own messages and forms of expression.  Lastly, we will work tirelessly to elevate the level of our presentations, sponsored time and exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Kyoto Museum of Modern Art and The Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo is a great start.  We will continue on this path with our exhibit scheduled to open at the Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St. Petersburg on June 15, 2007.

I am always impressed by the collective work ethic of the Japanese people, especially the professionals that I have worked with on the ARTLINK project.  Their passion should be bottled and shared with the world.  I will leave here inspired and encouraged, and more endeared to the beautiful people who knocked my socks off back in 2001.

During my trip, the following things made my travels easier:
1.) Regular video updates of my two-year old daughter from my very considerate husband.  This was my tonic for homesickness.
2.) Scalding hot showers, the kind that make mirrors weep and leave your backside as red as a chili pepper.
3.) 15 ways to bidet in every hotel bathroom.
4.) Small courses at dinner served over two hours ending with strong coffee.
5.) An ancient city surrounded by three mountain ranges and a river.