Just as “Umami” represents the rich and complex layers of flavour in cuisine, this exhibition delves into the depth and richness of nikkei artistic identity. Featuring a diverse range of artists, from emerging to established, including Japanese Canadian Legacies Art fund awardees. From traditional to contemporary art practice, the Umami exhibition shares the rich essence of our Japanese Canadian creative community.

Anchoring the full run of the exhibition is an interactive heritage inspired contemporary multi-media installation by Annie Sumi and Brian Kobayakawa called Kintsugi. Kintsugi is best known as a traditional Japanese technique of mending ceramics with gold. Annie and Brian’s Kintsugi conceptually mends broken and shattered experiences of what it means to be Canadian of Japanese ancestry through original music and spoken word activated by the visitor manually manipulating a Singer sewing machine that survived the era of Japanese Canadian internment and dispossession.

In Part 2, we introduce Molly JF Caldwell, the estate of Yoshiko Hirano, Marlene Howell, Vivien Nishi, and Reiko Pleau.  All of the artists investigate Japanese Canadian experience in their own style and media. Caldwell reimagines vintage textiles. Hirano, a long-term resident of Nikkei Home honed her skill in sumi-e.  Howell paints for the love of her heritage and sometimes dark history. Nishi honours her father’s internment era experience with manga-like illustrations, and Pleau mines the complex history and connection to her maternal ancestors. Artists, and Robert Hirano representing his mother’s work, will be in attendance at the Thursday, May 29,  2025 opening and artists’ conversation. The public is invited to attend.

Used in photography and painting to illustrate the radiant effects of the sun when it is near the horizon, the term golden hour describes the way light shifts to warmer tones just before sunset and just after sunrise. This exhibition shares views of landscape, light and luminosity from multiple perspectives, investigating the cyclical nature of day to night, beginnings and endings.

Curated by the entire Burnaby Art Gallery team, this exhibition brings forward responses to the collection from the perspectives of those who produce public programs, work closely with the collection and visitors and work towards maintaining the building itself. The exhibition includes audio guides illuminating the works.

With works by Vikky Alexander, Hana Amani, Gillian Armitage, Manuel Barbadillo, Joan Bell-Irving, Marcel Dzama, Gathie Falk, J.C. Heywood, Luke Marston, Gary Lee-Nova, lessLIE, Edna Myers, Hiromi Nakatsugawa, Mary Plumb Blade, Gita Teearu, Arnold Shives and more.

Celebrate the Star Festival at the Tanabata Market!  Admission Free.

Join us on Sunday, July 6th, 2025, from 11 am to 4 pm for a vibrant celebration of the Japanese Star Festival, Tanabata! Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere with beautiful Tanabata decorations adorning the market.

Browse through a delightful Craft Market & Flea Market to discover unique handmade treasures and pre-loved gems. Green thumbs will rejoice at our Plant Sales, offering a variety of indoor and outdoor varieties.

Indulge your taste buds with Japanese street food, ready-to-eat meals, and refreshing beverages. Stock up on delectable packaged foods to enjoy at home.

Bring the little ones for fun at our Kids Corner, featuring Tanabata-themed activities. All ages can participate in the tradition of writing their wishes on a tanzaku and hanging it on bamboo branches. Get creative with paper crafts and test your aim at the ring toss for a chance to win Nikkei Matsuri (Aug 30 & 31) tickets!

Enjoy captivating stage performances by Rakuichi and Hitotose, and practice bon-odori, adding a cultural flair to the day.

This year marks our 25th anniversary, and we’re grateful to celebrate with you at the Tanabata Market.