Big Mural
Workshop in Okinawa, Japan
17 June, 15 July, 10,11 August, 28 October and 11 Novemver, 2000
AMERASIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ART JAPAN
Children of Okinawa Amerasian School have worked on the mural for a long time:from June to Novembeer, 2000. When Mr. Yasuda explained the project to us, it sounded that we should have done it hurriedly. As we couldn't understand its purpose very well at once, it seemed impossible for us to finish it for a short time.
Amerasian School are many of naughty but lively kids, aged from 4 to 15. They have chats and quarrels all the time, but they are so frank that they know where to stop them, and the elders are often watched to guard or take care of the youngers. Those 28 had never experienced such a collaboration as to finish a mural. It was not one of the classes guided by teachers, but it required ideas and messages from the children.
Elder Ken Sayer and Jacklyn Jo Sayer thought about the coposition and the idea of the mural. Its concept is "We want to be with Friends all over the world/Let's be friends", and each figure of his /her own drawing on the mural are considered to be actively appeared as himself/herself on it, when the mural is exhibited in Nepal. It was very difficult for each to draw oneself, so they asked one another to draw each shape on the camvas.In the background is a house supported by Gajyumaru tree, a symbol mark for the school, which was designed by Ken on the entrance information board when the school started 4 years ago.
Finishing the mural needed 6 days of Jun. 17, July, 15, Aug. 10&11, Oct. 28 and Nov. 11. They had to ask for permission to use City Gym's Conference rooms and the Workers and the Youth center rooms, because their school is a rented small house with no space for the camvas. Without many volunteers' and parents' help and supports from the beginning to the end, the children could never have finished the mural.
(Mutsuji Tanaka, Professor of Okinawa Prefectural Art College)

CORDINATOR
TANAKA Mutsuji

Volunteer
Midori Thayer
GANAHA Mayumi
GANAHA Masumi
YAKAHI Yoshiharu
MIYAGI Kazuto
YONAMINE Satoshi

Children:
Tiyana M.Robinson, 4
Alex Kikuyama, 4
Kento Marlow, 5
Fericia Garrison, 6
Laiya Marlow, 7
Keeshand K.Kochi, 8
Estell M.Uchino, 8
Jennifer Matayoshi, 9
Jurian Garrison, 9
Christopher Meagrow, 10
Risa Barnes, 10
Mari Barnes, 10
Terrance Hanashima,10
Kento Hamada, 10
Mark Hamada,10
Jonathan K.Brooks, 11
Edouard G.Thayer, 11
Clayton Yonamine, 11
Christpher Matayoshi, 11
Nina. M.Kise, 11
Arisa N.Garrison, 12
Reimi Shiroma, 12
Nicolette A.Miyagi, 13
Jacquelyn J.Thayer, 12
William H.Brooks, 13
Anthony Matayoshi, 13
Venus Sara Hollins, 14
Kennie Thayer, 15