Tags：Art and LifeChubu

From January 7 to February 15, the 33rd MOA Museum of Art National Exhibition of Children’s Artworks was held at the circular hall of the MOA Museum of Art. Approximately 300 prize-winning and selected works selected from a total of 186,954 paintings and calligraphies submitted from 292 venues in Japan and overseas (including 25 venues in 11 countries) were exhibited. On January 29, at the Noh Theater of the MOA Museum of Art, an awards ceremony was held for the first time in three years since the 31st (2019) exhibition, and while thorough measures were taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, about 250 people, including the winners of the Gold Prize or higher and their families, gathered.

 

Kazumi Murose (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation), Representative Director of the Mokichi Okada Arts and Culture Foundation gave the opening address, followed by a congratulatory address by Kazushi Toyoguchi, head researcher of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, on improving education. He praised the award-winning children and shared his hope that they will continue to be interested in various things such as life and society and to express their thoughts. He told them that it would become their strength to live. Next, Michiyuki Satohira, Director of the Child-rearing Support Division, Children and Family Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; Yusaku Hirakata, Director-General, Agricultural Products Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Takahiro Okano, Director, National Park Utilization Promotion Office, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, each described the children’s rich encounters with nature and creatures. They praised the sensitivity and the activities of the exhibition’s executive committee nationwide.

 

Parents and guests gave a warm applause as the award-winning children enthusiastically received their certificate while their award-winning artwork was projected on the screen. In addition, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology School Encouragement Award was given to an elementary school that works together with families and communities to raise children. (See the MOA Museum of Art Children’s Art Exhibition website for the winners and organizations.).

 

 

Following the announcement of the thoughts put into the artworks of the winners and the comments of the judges, Yui Oumi, a former winner from Kanagawa Prefecture (10th Painting Division, winner), took the stage and gave a speech on the opportunity of the exhibition. She said that she has taken on the challenge of various competitions, and that, as an elementary school teacher, she is now teaching children the joy of expression, and she hopes the award-winning children will take on many challenges from here on. In addition, Ms. Rina Tanaka from Saga Prefecture (22nd Transcription Department, Japan PTA National Council Chairman’s Award) sent a video message, saying that she is studying law at the university and is working hard to transcribe because she wants to be useful to people and society. She said that the hard work and experience she has had with practicing Sho (brush calligraphy) has become an asset to her even now.

 

After the awards ceremony, the award-winning children and their parents and guardians enjoyed the Masterpiece Exhibition – National Treasure “Red and White Plum Blossoms Folding Screens” being held, enjoyed the panoramic view of Atami City and Sagami Bay from Moore Square, and enjoyed a day at the MOA Museum of Art, including viewing their own artworks and many other prize-winning artworks displayed. “At the awards ceremony, I was nervous at first, but it was fun and it ended with a smile. I want to win higher awards in the future so that I can come here again. I’m glad I was able to do it. I was able to see many beautiful artworks, including the Red and White Plum Blossoms Folding Screens. I feel like I want to paint more.”

 

 

 

The MOA Museum of Art National Children’s Art Exhibition is based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Course Guidelines,” and expresses the emotions and interests gained through interaction with nature, the environment, society, and others in paintings and calligraphy while exercising sensitivity. It is held for the purpose of cultivating sentiment and nurturing an abundant heart. Supported by art education volunteers nationwide, schools, families, and communities are working together to contribute to the healthy upbringing of children and the creation of a community enrichment that is both mentally and physically healthy.

 

(sponsors)
Sponsored by: Mokichi Okada Arts and Culture Foundation
Supported by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of the Environment; Japan National Commission for UNESCO; Japan PTA National Council; Public Corporation Federation of Children’s Associations; Boy Scouts of Japan Federation; Association of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad; National Newspaper Business Council; National Federation of Elementary School Principals.