DODDS employee's calligraphy part of the Okinawa exhibit

NAHA, Okinawa — Nearly 300 pieces of artwork , produced by local senior citizens, were unveiled on January 8th, 2014, at the Okinawa Prefectural Fine Art Museum as part of the annual Kariyushi Art Exhibit. The exhibit highlights local artists 60 years or older, including Bruce Thomas, a Defense Department schools employee.

«There are three things you should do,» said Thomas. «Take care of your spiritual life, you have to learn something new and you have to learn something about where you are. That took me here because calligraphy is one of the foundations of Japanese culture.»

Thomas explained that he has been learning calligraphy for more than five years and submitted his work for exhibition because his «sensei told me to.»

Uncomfortable with the attention and certain that his work paled in comparison to the dozens of decorative scrolls hung throughout the gallery, Thomas focused on the joy of creating the calligraphy.

«Your concentration reaches a certain level and it just happens,» said Thomas. «You don’t think about it, you don’t do anything, it just happens. It’s kind of amazing.»

The Kariyushi Art Exhibit runs until January 13th and features calligraphy, photography, painting, traditional Japanese painting, sculpture and crafts. Admission is free.

DODDS employee's calligraphy part of the Okinawa exhibit

Source: stripes.com