Beverly Welcomes Artist Kaz Tanahashi for A Week of Events

BEVERLY, MA – Zen Center North Shore, in partnership with Montserrat College of Art, The Cabot Theater, Atomic Café, Cabot St Books & Cards, and Shodokan Martial Arts Dojo will host “Painting Peace: A Week in Beverly with Kaz Tanahashi,” a week of free events open to the public.

“We are thrilled and honored to work with our neighbors and community members to present the extraordinary work and life experience of this man of peace,” said Zen Center North Shore founder Joan Amaral. “Kaz Tanahashi as a peace activist, poet, artist, and master calligrapher is a treasure, and his residency could not come at a better time. Just being in his presence, not to mention the opportunity to study with him, brings a sense of peace in these turbulent times. Here is a man who believes we can save the world, and he shows us a path to do just that.”

Kazuaki Tanahashi is a world-famous calligraphy master and devoted peace activist working as an artist, writer, and peace and environmental worker. He was born in Japan in 1933 and has been active in the United States since 1977.

As a painter and calligrapher, Kaz has been pioneering the genres of one-stroke painting. He has staged multi solo exhibitions of his brushwork worldwide and has taught innumerable workshops around the world, including at seven international calligraphy conferences. As an environmental activist, he was the founding secretary of Plutonium Free Future, and founder of No War with North Korea. His website BRUSHMIND illustrates the decades of his work on this front.

“Painting Peace: A Week in Beverly with Kaz Tanahashi” transforms the city of Beverly into a Peace City by opening up the possibility for people to come together through art, meditation, and community action. In a time of global uncertainty, for a week in July, people on the North Shore are invited to put into practice in Kaz Tanahashi’s “Four Commonplace Truths”: 1. No situation is impossible to change. 2. A communal vision, outstanding strategy, and sustained effort can bring forth positive changes. 3. Everyone can help make a difference. 4. No one is free of responsibility.”

Zen Center North Shore, Montserrat College of Art, Shodokan Dojo, Atomic Cafe, Cabot St Books and the Cabot Theater are joining efforts to introduce this remarkable artist and peace activist to the Beverly community and beyond. All events are by donation and open to anyone:

Weeklong events:
FESTIVAL ZAZEN MEDITATION SCHEDULE: The public is invited to participate in daily zazen meditation practice during the Painting Peace Festival. Self-care and creative community building are emphasized. Location: Zen Center North Shore, 123 Park Street, Beverly.
Daily morning meditation 7:00am-8:30am
Daily evening meditation 6:30pm-7:00pm (except Tuesday, July 17)

Daily events:
Monday events:
SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETING AT THE ZEN CENTER
On Monday evening, Kaz Tanahashi will be the special guest of the Zen Center Social Justice group, which meets regularly on Monday evenings. Evening starts with zazen meditation from 6:30pm-7pm, followed by tea and social justice discussion. Beginners are welcome to attend introduction to Zen Meditation at 6:00pm.

Introduction to Zen Meditation Monday, July 16, 6:00 - 6:30, at Zen Center North Shore, 123 Park Street, Beverly, MA

Zazen meditation Monday, July 16, 6:30pm -7pm, at Zen Center North Shore, 123 Park Street, Beverly, MA

Social Justice Study Group with Kaz Tanahashi Monday, July 16, 7:15 - 8:30, at Zen Center North Shore, 123 Park Street, Beverly, MA

Tuesday events:
FILM: “PAINTING PEACE” AT THE CABOT THEATER
On Tuesday evening, The Cabot Theatre will present a special screening of Painting Peace, an insightful portrait of Kaz Tanahashi by Dutch filmmaker Babeth Van Loo. The film follows Tanahashi to Europe and Japan and into his home and family life (In English and in Japanese with English subtitles). 90 minutes. Following the film, there will be a special conversation on stage with Kaz Tanahashi and Joan Amaral, the Guiding Teacher of Zen Center North Shore.
Film Screening and Conversation with Kaz and Joan Amaral, Tuesday, July 17, 6:00 - 9:00 pm, at The Cabot Theater

Wednesday events:
CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP WITH KAZ
The public is welcome to attend a special calligraphy workshop with Kaz Tanahashi.
Calligraphy Workshop, Wednesday, July 18, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, at Montserrat College of Art. Location: “Underground.” 248 Cabot Street, Beverly, Please sign up at the Zen Center North Shore.

PAINTING PERFORMANCE WITH KAZ
Painting performance by Kaz at 5:00 pm, with Aikido demonstration by Shodokan Dojo at Montserrat College of Art. Location: “Underground,” 248 Cabot Street, Beverly

Thursday events:
PEACE SEMINAR WITH KAZ
The public is welcomed to attend a seminar on the topic of art and peace with Kaz Tanahashi, with discussion led by Montserrat College of Art students.
Peace Seminar with Kaz, Thursday, July 19, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, at Montserrat College of Art “Underground,” 248 Cabot Street, Beverly

COFFEE WITH KAZ at ATOMIC
Coffee with Kaz at Cabot Street Books and Atomic Cafe, Thursday, July 19, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Friday events:
REMEMBRANCES OF O SENSEI
Remembrances of the Founder of Aikido by Kaz and Sensei Bernie Mulligan, Friday, July 20, 6:30 - 9:00 pm, at Zen Center North Shore and Shodokan Dojo, 123 Park Street, Beverly

All events are free. Donations are gratefully received, and a portion of all proceeds will benefit Kaz's peace work around the world (see www.nowarwithnorthkorea.org and www.aworldwithoutarmies.org).

Zen Center North Shore was established in 2012 (as Marblehead Zen Center) to make the teachings and practice of meditation freely accessible to a diverse population across the North Shore of Boston and regionally throughout New England. After two years in residence at St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Marblehead, we secured a dedicated space for practice in Beverly where we continue to offer ongoing opportunities for the study and practice of Soto Zen Buddhism. The foundation of the Zen Center is built on the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha's teachings. Our primary practice is zazen - just sitting. We sit zazen to express our true nature, bright and awake. We offer a sanctuary to those who wish to find connection, purpose, and equanimity in the midst of our busy, complex human lives.

For more information, please email us at info@zencenternorthshore.org or call 781/718-5455. www.zencenternorthshore.org