Latest news with #RootedinTradition
CBS News
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CBS News
Denver artist unveils mural honoring Japanese American roots at Sakura Square
A downtown Denver landmark is getting a new look as part of a tribute to Colorado's Japanese American community. Sakura Square, home to Pacific Mercantile -- a third-generation family-owned grocery store specializing in Japanese and Asian foods -- is the site of several new murals by Denver artist Casey Kawaguchi. Kawaguchi's latest piece, titled Rooted in Tradition, pays tribute to George Inai, the founder of Pacific Mercantile. Inai launched the business after World War II, following his release from a Japanese American internment camp. "This mural is a finishing of a mural that wraps the entire Pacific Mercantile building. I'm painting a Japanese character with a butterfly and a bonsai tree," Kawaguchi said. Casey Kawaguchi's latest mural, still in progress, can be seen on the wall of Pacific Mercantile in Denver on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. CBS "The bonsai tree represents his legacy and really what they're continuing on here at the store," Kawaguchi said. "The tree also represents the deep roots that run throughout Sakura Square." The mural itself is an ode to Pacific Mercantile and its legacy of helping feed the community, with crops in the background of one of the murals and a fruitful harvest in another on the other side of the building. An official unveiling of the mural is set for Tuesday, June 3, with additional events planned at Sakura Square throughout the summer. The project is supported by a $10,000 public art sponsorship from the city of Denver. Denver muralist Casey Kawaguchi talks about his latest piece in Sakura Square in Denver on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. CBS "It's really a hub for the community. It's what's kept Sakura Square alive," Kawaguchi said. "I hope they get a feeling just right off the bat from this piece of artwork that this is a special place," he continued. "I hope they discover the deep roots that are here connected with this store and this block."
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bluegrass mural will be unveiled May 17
At 9 a.m. on May 17, Owensboro will unveil a 73-foot-wide by 16-foot-high six-panel mural that 'honors the profound traditions and contemporary diversity of bluegrass music.' It will be on the wall of the building at 214 Frederica St. that faces the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Steve Johnson, director of the Bluegrass Music Initiative, said the 30-minute program will feature bluegrass music. He said the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance will be meeting in Owensboro that week and so will the Hall of Fame's board of trustees. The mural is sponsored by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Young Professionals, the Bluegrass Music (Capital) Initiative, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the city and OWB Downtown LLC. Jared Revlett, chairman of the Chamber Young Professionals, said 39 artists from several states submitted proposals. Those selected were Adalynn Opal Leach, Hartford, 'Golden Harmony: The Pillar of Bluegrass'; Brittany Samsil, Owensboro, 'Bluegrass Legends'; Paula Gieseke, Cerulean, 'Billy Strings'; Emrys Cunningham, Richmond, 'Blue Moon Monroe'; Rex Robinson, Evansville, 'River of Music Party'; Amy Burgan, Owensboro, 'Bridging Traditions'; Andrea Butler, Seattle, 'Rooted in Tradition' and Bethany Prevette, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 'Ode to Owensboro.' The mural will celebrate Owensboro's claim as the 'Bluegrass Music Capital of the World.' A worldwide call was made for artists to submit plans for one or more of the panels. But Johnson said none were received from outside the country. Several bluegrass publications have written about the mural. Each of the six panels will be six-feet wide and 10-feet tall. Artists whose work was chosen will receive $1,000. The installation will begin soon, after the art is upsized and professionally reproduced. Johnson said he heard from Billy Strings' people, saying that the artist is honored and excited about being part of the project. Strings, the professional name of 32-year-old William Lee Apostol, is a rising star in bluegrass, winning two Grammys for best bluegrass album and a host of other awards.
