This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Kim Kodani on the Art of Chiura Obata at El Cerrito Art Association Meeting

El Cerrito - On Monday, September 10, Kim Kodani Hill will talk about the art of her grandfather, the well-known artist Chiura Obata. Ms. Hill’s presentation and slideshow will draw on her extensive research undertaken as the family historian.

Chiura Obata, best known for his paintings and colored woodblock prints of Yosemite National Park, came to the United States in 1903 at age 17. In his homeland, he had been trained in traditional Japanese fine art techniques. After working as an illustrator and commercial designer in California, he had a successful career as a painter. In 1927 he spent the summer in the Sierra Nevada. From 1932 to his retirement in 1953, he was a faculty member in the Art Department at the University of California at Berkeley, interrupted by World War II when he spent over a year in internment camps. From 1955 to 1970, Obata traveled throughout California, leading tours and giving lectures and demonstrations on Japanese brush painting.

 Ms. Hill was included in the Ken Burn’s series on national parks.

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The September 10th meeting will be held in the Garden Room of the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane in El Cerrito. The evening begins at 7:00 pm with social time and a “mini art show” of members’ work. A brief business meeting is held at 7:30, followed by the speaker.

El Cerrito Art Association meetings are open to the public, and visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information about this program, contact Joanne Taeuffer at 510-526-6241. For more information about the Association, see www.elcerritoart.org. The Community Center is handicapped-accessible.

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?