Unseen Spaces, a painting exhibit with Naomi Kubota Lee

Unseen Spaces, a painting exhibit with Naomi Kubota Lee

by | Oct 3, 2025 | Classes & Events

Unseen Spaces, a solo painting exhibit by Naomi Kubota Lee

Summer/Fall 2025

Gallery Hours: MTuThFr 2-5 pm, or by appointment: 510-654-4000

Don’t miss the Art Pop-Up at J-Sei Corner featuring mini canvas paintings by Naomi Kubota Lee at the Artisan Faire on December 7th!

Experience the unseen spaces that invite creativity, inquiry and imagination.  In these times, be inspired by the vibrancy, color and depth of Naomi Kubota Lee’s artistic realm, and reach for the creative energy that can help sustain us.

Artist Gallery Talk: Sunday, October 19th, 1 to 3 pm

Wabi Sabi Hari Workshop: Friday, November 21st, 1 to 3 pm

 

 

Wabi Sabi Hari Booklet, a Japanese needle booklet

Friday, November 21, 1 to 3 pm

In Japan, everything has a soul – even needles. Join Naomi Kubota Lee in making felt and fabric booklets to rest and honor our pins & needles for their lifetime of service. Stitches make things complete and whole again.  Join this workshop and experience the wabi sabi and Japanese boro style of stitching, using reusable imperfect scraps and piecing together of fabric.  “Unseen Spaces, a solo painting exhibit of Naomi Kubota Lee” is currently on view at J-Sei.  Workshop Fee: $35

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org with “Wabi Sabi Hari” in the memo line.

I work in a variety of media, making abstract pieces that make visible the invisible world of imagination and creativity, my inner world. My work reflects the mood, atmosphere and sense of mystery of this unseen space.

Naomi Kubota Lee

J-Sei Health & Wellness Workshop & Fair

J-Sei Health & Wellness Workshop & Fair

by | Oct 3, 2025 | Classes & Events

J-Sei Health & Wellness Workshop & Fair 

Sunday, Nov 2, 11 am to 3 pm – Save the date!

An on-going concern that increases as we age is how to stay healthy, happy and safe. What do we need to prepare for in these life transitions in terms of wellness and care?  We will be offering informational presentations to help us plan for shifting needs for ourselves and our loved ones as we age.  The presentations will be followed by screenings, vaccines, information tables with partner organizations, healthy living & nutrition demos.  

Partnering with Asian Community Health at Berkeley @achberkeley

A community forum on how to stay
healthy, happy and safe as we age!

Health Talks

11 am – Medicare Changes in 2026 – What are the big changes in 2026? How do the changes affect me? The Annual Election Period (AEP), — also known as the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) and prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) is from October 15 to December 7, 2025. Denise Lombard provides professional insight backed by years of experience having served as Director of Marketing for Medicare for Blue Shield of CA.

12 pm – Life Care Planning – Care Partners offers culturally relevant education to support communities that need Advance Care Planning resources, conducting Advance Health Care Directive and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment document trainings to engage Alameda County residents at all levels of health. How can we plan for life care for ourselves and loved ones?

12 to 3 pm –  Health & Wellness Fair – Free health screenings and vaccinations, family caregiving tips & support, learn about good eating habits, engage in physical activity and discover community resources.

Special Announcement:  Bay PLS will join us to offer free COVID + flu vaccines. No insurance is required.  Sign up today!

Participating Orgs/Individuals:
Asian Community Health at Berkeley
Bay Area PLS
CAHPSA, California Health Professional Student Alliance
Care Partners -Alameda County Public Health
Denise Lombard
J-Sei

Please RSVP for this free event, by clicking on the button below.  Your reservation helps us with our planning.

Sign Up for this Free Event!
Great-ful Aging, a 2 hour writing and movement workshop

Great-ful Aging, a 2 hour writing and movement workshop

by | Oct 1, 2025 | Classes & Events

Great-ful Aging

2-hour writing and movement workshop

Mon, December 8th

Time: 10 am to 12 noon

Through gentle movement, we will explore the rich stories held within our bodies. We will then give voice to these inner narratives during quiet reflection and journaling. These narratives will guide us to more expansive expressions of aging. Our intention is to discover nourishing messages that will help us live with a generous heart, curious mind, and deep appreciation for our aging body.  A journal and pen will be provided.

RSVP to jill@j-sei.org and indicate Great-ful Aging – Dec.

Susan Almazol is an artist, dancer, writer, and curator. Uprooted from the Philippines to move to Japan and then to the United States before the age of 6 embedded an affinity for bold transformation. Susan became a sculptor at 54, danced on stage for the first time at 66, and began creating nude self-portraits at 71. She curated, exhibited in, and danced in “Seize the Gaze” art exhibition in 2024 at Joyce Gordon Gallery. She is preparing for a solo art exhibition and public program for Elders at the Richmond Art Center in 2026.

J-Sei Podcast: Hibiku Kotoba

J-Sei Podcast: Hibiku Kotoba

by | Sep 24, 2025 | News

Hibiku Kotoba, a new podcast series

Hibiku Kotoba is a brand new podcast series we are launching this Fall! With a new podcast we hope to outreach through a new medium to an ever growing community. When translated, Hibiku Kotoba means “resonating words” and we hope that this podcast will reach you, family and friends and spark conversations that will bring ideas and people together from all backgrounds.

Find out more . .

Connecting Across Generations: Nikkei Stroll at UCB

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Other News

Connecting Across Generations – Nikkei Stroll @ UC Berkeley

Sept. 21, 2025

With over 60 people gathered, a curated dialogue on the Japanese American experience on the UC Berkeley campus through the decades was held.  View the reflections from guest speakers from the community as they remember campus life for students and faculty, as the different generations found their voice and community through challenging times.

Nancy Arata-Fong: 1931-1942 Nikkei student life before 1942, purchase of men’s and women’s dorms for JAs, 2013 cherry tree project

Kimi Kodani Hill: 1930-1954 – History of Professor Chiura Obata before professorship, during WWII, after WWII

Evelyn Nakano Glenn: 1958-1962 undergrad, 1990-2013 faculty Ethnic Studies and subsequent struggles to keep Ethnic Studies and the Center for Race and Gender alive

Peter Horikoshi: 1969-1973 Creation of Asian Studies after the Third World strike, working in Asian American communities, starting East Bay Japanese for Action, which became Japanese American Services of the East Bay and later J-Sei. Working with Professor Ron Takaki and writer Toshio Mori, and starting the Yokohama, California band.

Alec Macdonald: 1992-2007 Hapa Issues Forum

 

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