Press Releases

Portland Japanese Garden Announces New International Advisory Board

September 26th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Melissa Wilmot
Portland Japanese Garden
mwilmot@japanesegarden.com, (503) 747-8816

Mary Keith Agnew
Portland Japanese Garden
mkeithagnew@japanesegarden.com, (503) 542-0288

October 27 Event at the Tokyo Nezu Museum to Introduce Board Members

Portland, Ore. —September 26, 2011 — The Portland Japanese Garden is pleased to announce the formation of the Portland Japanese Garden International Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB consists of a network of experts, scholars, philanthropists, and interested individuals who will work closely with the Garden on a variety of issues and objectives. Board members will foster connections between the Garden and its local, national, and international communities, and act as ambassadors and advocates of the Garden’s mission, vision, and programs. Members include Board Chair Carolyn A. Berry, John R. Anderson, Michael Christ, Jill Friedman, Masataka Hata, Ron Herman, John Jay, Yuichi and Amy Katoh, Joe Krakora, Toshiaki Kuno, Larry Murakami, Shiro Nakane, Koichi and Mihoko Nezu, Akira “Cap” Saheki, Arlene Schnitzer, Holly Shimizu, Robert Singer, Professor Makoto Suzuki, and Takashi Uyeno.

Through its combined efforts in community outreach, programming, major exhibitions, and Japanese garden design and maintenance instruction, the Garden’s influence and reputation for educational excellence and leadership has quickly spread throughout the world. The foundation of the IAB is a response to the Garden’s need for distinguished representatives who will help communicate with national and international audiences interested in Japanese gardening, aesthetics, community building and the exchange of information.

“The formation of this International Advisory Board was a critical next step for the Garden,” said Steve Bloom, the Garden’s CEO. “This group of distinguished leaders will help us foster and further our rapidly growing relationships with organizations, associations, and affiliate groups from all over the world. The Portland Japanese Garden has become a leader in preserving and furthering the culture associated with Japanese gardens, and the IAB will serve as vital support as we continue to implement and develop our strategic plan on a global scale.”

The Garden’s IAB members come from a variety of professional and philanthropic backgrounds, but all share the desire to engage with the community to further the mission and vision of the Portland Japanese Garden. The IAB will convene for its inaugural meeting in Tokyo, and then celebrate on October 27 at a Portland Japanese Garden event hosted by the ambassador of the embassy of the United States of America, Mr. John V. Roos and his wife, Mrs. Susan H. Roos; Director of the Nezu Museum and President of Tobu Department Stores, Mr. Koichi Nezu and his wife Mrs. Mihoko Nezu; and internationally renowned architect, Kengo Kuma; and held at the world-famous Nezu Museum. The event will be sponsored by Tiffany Japan. Learn more about the IAB at http://japanesegarden.com/IAB.

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The Portland Japanese Garden is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Situated on more than 5 acres nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, the Garden features five traditional garden styles. The Garden is located above Washington Park at 611 SW Kingston Drive in SW Portland, Oregon and is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Visit the Garden online at http://japanesegarden.com.