Community surprises JOI coordinator with parting gift
Japan Outreach Initiative coordinator Chiemi Shimizu, of Japan, received a surprise parting gift Monday as a thank you from the citizens of Hot Springs for sharing Japanese culture with Arkansas for the past two years.
Shimizu, who has spent the past two years living in Arkansas and attending the University of Central Arkansas, was the recipient of a painting by local artist Gary Simmons, who created the artwork from a photograph he took of her as she performed at the Hot Springs Cherry Blossom Festival in March, according to a news release from the Hot Springs Sister City Program.
Shimizu played the Japanese musical instrument the koto during the festival, the release said.
“From that photo, he painted this beautiful watercolor which he donated to be presented to her in gratitude from the people of Hot Springs,” it said.
Japan Outreach Initiative offers opportunities for Americans to develop understanding of Japan. For the past two years, Shimizu has been based at the University of Central Arkansas, the release said, and during her time in Arkansas she has participated in community outreach and partnered locally with groups and agencies including the Sister City program, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Garland County Library, and Emergent Arts.
According to Mary Zunick, Sister City Program executive director, Shimizu has finished the JOI program and will be returning home in the near future.