Members of the Sumie Society of Hawaii gathered at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room on Lei Day (May 1) for their 13th annual post-exhibition luncheon and awards program. The exhibition, which was held April 20 to May 1 at Honolulu Hale, featured works by the students in society’s five clubs: Honpa Hongwanji, Makua Alii, Moiliili Community Center, Wahiawa and Hilo Hongwanji. The four O‘ahu classes are taught weekly by the society’s dedicated 88-year-old teacher, Sachie Saigusa.
The society was wrapping up its 13th exhibition at Honolulu Hale. Georgette Deemer, deputy managing director for the City and County of Honolulu, presented a certificate from the city. Deemer said the city is pleased to host the exhibition. She said she took time on her way home one evening to view the various works. “It made me feel calm and I enjoyed it so much,” she said. “It made my evening so much more pleasant,” Deemer added.
Saigusa-Sensei, presented certificates to two students: a beginner certificate to Mutsuko Narumi McConnell, and an instructor certificate to Amy Mihara.
Sensei said her students are her extended family. She noted with sadness the passing in the last year of three longtime students — Alpha Kaneko, Haruko Anamizu and David Higa, saying they were “excellent artists.”
