Programming Announced for Summer 2025 “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e" Exhibition

The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on the College of DuPage (COD) campus present a variety of free and ticketed programming in conjunction with the “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection” exhibition this summer. From lectures and workshops to social events, festivals and films, these programs add an exciting dimension to this summer’s must-see experience of Japanese art and culture.

“The CCMA is housed in a performing arts center on a community college campus. This affords us a unique opportunity to present the art with more context and engaging programming than in a traditional museum show,” said MAC Director Diana Martinez. “We’ve partnered with experts from the Japan Culture Center and curators around the country to secure the best talent to present a wide variety of programming for those looking to dive deeper into ukiyo-e art history, celebrate Japanese culture, try hands-on artistic activities or simply be entertained. Much of the programming is free with presentation of a ticket stub to the exhibition.”

Programming kicks off Saturday, June 7 with “Pleasures of the Floating World: An Introduction to Japanese Prints,” a lecture by one of the country’s foremost Hokusai scholars, Sarah E. Thompson, Curator, Japanese Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Thompson will address the transition of Japan from an older feudal culture to a modern, money-driven society that has much in common with the present-day world.

Additional lectures include COD Reference and Instruction Librarian Becky Reece talking on “The Story of Manga: Tracing the Evolution of Manga from Hokusai to Today” (Thursday, July 31). Yayoi Shinoda, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Assistant Curator, Japanese Art, East Asian Art explores the worlds of both Kabuki theater and the Yoshiwara district in her talk, “Popular Edo Entertainment” (Saturday, Aug. 2). And CCMA Curator Justin Witte shares the intricate process and compelling backstory behind bringing the U.S. premiere of the collection and this unique exhibition to the Chicago area in his talk, “Hokusai and the Art of Edo" (Saturday, Aug. 23). Admission to these lectures is free with presentation of an exhibition ticket stub.

Additional programming highlights include the following:

* Two “Sushi, Sake & Hokusai” happy hour ticketed events Thursday, June 12, and Friday, Aug. 8. These events feature complimentary appetizers, drinks, a talk by Curator Justin Witte, admission to the exhibition and a VIP lanyard.

* Two outdoor festivals suitable for all ages:

- Saturday, June 21, “Hokusai Japan Fest,” featuring a variety of traditional Japanese
entertainment
* 12 and 5:30 p.m. Tsukasa Taiko drumming performance
* 12:30 and 5 p.m. Odori Japanese folk dance
* 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Shamisen performance-three-stringed traditional
Japanese musical instrument
* 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Shotokan karate demonstration by JKA Chicago
* 2 - 2:20 p.m. Aikido demonstration by the Aikido Association of America
* 2:30 p.m. Kendo demonstration by Chicago Kendo Dojo
* 3 p.m. Large Brush Shodō (Japanese calligraphy) by award-winning master
Hekiun Oda Shihan (Genshinkai)

In addition, there will be ikebana (flower arrangement) demos by the Ohara School of Ikebana, shodō, calligraphy lessons, woodblock printmaking demos, origami lessons, food vendors and more

- Saturday, July 19, “Great Wave Print Fest,” an outdoor art fair featuring more than 20
Chicago area woodblock print artists, creating and selling works on site. Experienced
College of DuPage printmaking students will lead demonstrations enabling festivalgoers
to create their own woodblock prints to take home.

An exhibition ticket stub also provides access to a series of film screenings (Thursday, July 24, Thursday, Aug. 7, Thursday, Aug. 14), woodblock print demos conducted by COD students (Saturdays, June 7 through July 19) and shodō Japanese calligraphy workshops (Saturday, June 7 and 21, and Sundays July 13 - Aug. 31 and Sept. 21). In addition, New Philharmonic will present a free outdoor concert, Sunday, Aug. 3, no exhibition ticket stub required.

All programming is subject to change. For more information, event updates and reservations, visit Hokusai2025.org.

In addition to the exhibition programming planned by the CCMA and MAC, DuPage community partners will be hosting a variety of events. Of particular note are the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild’s special exhibition, “Honoring Hokusai” (June 29 - Aug. 17), and the Morton Arboretum’s “Destination Asia Festival” (Aug. 2 & 3). More information about these events can also be found at Hokusai2025.org.

The Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) and McAninch Arts Center (MAC), located on the College of DuPage campus (425 Fawell Blvd.), present “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection,” May 31 - Sept. 21. The all-encompassing exhibition takes guests on a fascinating journey into the world of shoguns, samurai and kabuki actors during a vibrant time of Japanese cultural renaissance.

The exhibition’s featured art collection, on loan from the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art in Genoa, Italy, features 53 woodblock prints and original paintings by the masters of ukiyo-e, including original works by Hokusai, Hiroshige and 15 of their contemporaries, and a selection of handcrafted objects such as games, instruments and hair ornaments.

Ticket prices range from $12 to $32 ($12 tickets available Tuesdays and Wednesdays after 2 p.m.). $20 youth tickets are available for those age 12 and under. VIP add-on packages start at $25 and include benefits such as audio tours, catalogs and exhibition merchandise. For tickets or more information visit Hokusai2025.org or call the MAC Box Office 630.942.4000. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more by contacting the group sales coordinator at 630.942.3026 or grouptix@cod.edu.