“Ishinomaki Wonder Yokochou”

“Ishinomaki Wonder Yokochou” project is planned by a group of artists such as Ichiro Endo and some other artists, belonging to “Island Japan”, and several members of HARU took part in this activity.

Tachimachi Shopping Street in Ishinomaki was seriously affected by the Tsunami. Right after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the streets were covered with mud, so very few people were walking on them. The whole town looked “grey”. Even in this situation, we found an open flower shop. “Sakko-chan”, an artist of the Island Japan, who had stayed in the shopping street and had been engaged in the volunteer activity, was shaken by a picture hung in the shop. It all started from this episode, she then decided to start an activity of drawing pictures on the shutters of shops on the shopping street. She hopes that these pictures will cheer up shop owners so that they will be able to start their daily operation again.

Until now, we had drawn pictures on 3 shops’ shutters and name boards. Many artists gathered from all over the country, from Tokyo to Oita, and they even try to get the passers by or citizens to be involved in drawing pictures on shutters.

They also recruit volunteers for drawing pictures with them on an as-needed basis. No special skills are required. Let’s draw pictures together!!

In addition, near the shops with painted shutters at Ishinomaki Wonder Yokochou, an exhibition of art works of high school students is being held now. Name plates used for temporary housings, which are made by an art club students from Ishinomaki Nishi High School and Ishinomaki Koubunkan High School using wood scrap are on display. Since most of the students come from serious affected areas, they put special feelings in these name plates.

The shopping street and the exhibition site, was seriously affected by the Tsunami, so most of shops could not open again. Despite of such situation, the exhibition was held without charge as a favor of owner.

“Name plate exhibition for everyone”

Date: June 18^th ~26^th (11:00~18:00)

Place: “Boys Gallery” 2-6-25 Tachimachi, Ishinomaki City

After the exhibition, the name plates will be given to the temporary housing residents. During the exhibition period, also visitors can make their own name plates. Materials are ready. Everyone is welcome. We hope that many people visit the exhibition..

Contact information:

Chie Kajiwara

Ishinomaki Wonder Yokochou

08033243338