Normandale hosts series of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of the Japanese Garden

Normandale Community College will host a series of events celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Japanese Garden, with the primary celebration taking place on Saturday, September 19 from 12 to 4 p.m.

The art events surrounding the celebration include a public reception on Wednesday, September 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery with Artist Julie Shibata and an exhibition unveiling on Saturday, September 19 during the 12 to 4 p.m. timeframe of Japanese Garden drawings by Normandale Art Instructor Louise Fisher’s students titled 29 Views of the Japanese Garden.

There will also be a colloquium on Monday, September 21 from 2 to 3 p.m titled Celebrating Two Forums for Contemplation: Normandale's Japanese Garden and the Richard Brown Colloquium Series that features Jason Brown, Medtronic Senior Principal Statistician and Technical Fellow, Jane Fenton, Executive Director of Normandale's Foundation, Jack Norton, Normandale History faculty, and Cece and Steve Cope of the Friends of the Japanese Garden volunteer group. 

You can continue to stay updated with details of the event by visiting normandale.edu/events and normandale.edu/japanesegarden.

The following is a tentative schedule of the Japanese Garden 50th Anniversary festivities on Saturday, September 19:

• 12-12:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremony and Special Presentation, Outdoor
• 12-4 p.m. Activity Booths & Displays
  Kimono Display – Sansei Yonsei Kai, JASM - Samurai Hat Making, JACL - Origami Cranes, Bloomington Sister City Organization, St. Paul Nagasaki Sister City, Great Tea Road Co., Kendama, Calligraphy, Matcha, Kelly Anderson Magnet Making, Anime Twin Cities, Victoria Moron, Ikebana International Chapter 121 - Flower Arrangements
• 12-4 p.m. Food and Refreshments
  Tiffin Man Catering (gymnasium) and Hibachi Rolling Food Truck (outside Partnership Center)
• 12:45-4 p.m. Outside Performances
  • Sansei Yonsei Kai Dance - A multigenerational Japanese American dance troupe sharing traditional folk dances that celebrate cultural heritage and community.
  • Garden Horticulture Tours - Guided walks led by our Japanese Garden horticulture expert, Sam Kaufman, highlighting the garden’s history, design principles, and unique plant species.
  • Tea Ceremony - A traditional Japanese tea preparation demonstration emphasizing harmony, respect, and the artistry of ceremonial movement.
  • Shakuhachi Music in the Garden - Meditative bamboo‑flute performance by Leo Hansen that blends naturally with the garden’s atmosphere, creating a peaceful soundscape.
  • Harisen Daiko Taiko Drumming - High‑energy Japanese drumming showcasing powerful rhythms and dynamic ensemble choreography.

• 1-2:20 p.m. Gymnasium Demonstrations
  • Self Defense Demonstration - A practical showcase of martial arts techniques by Adam Kultangwatana and Yoshi Satoh focused on awareness, movement, and personal safety.
  • Kendo Demonstration - A traditional Japanese swordsmanship demonstration by Bob Cochran featuring disciplined strikes, footwork, and the philosophy behind kendo practice.

• 2:30-2:45 p.m. Keynote, Gymnasium
  “Growing up with the Garden” Karen Holcomb and Mary Sticha, descendants of the founding members of the Friends of the Japanese Garden

Built between 1972 and 1976 through the dedication of the Bloomington Affiliated Garden Clubs, with support from the Japanese American Veterans of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service Language School, the two‑acre garden features koi‑filled ponds, handcrafted bridges, lanterns, islands, a waterfall, and more than 300 carefully selected Minnesota‑hardy plants. Designed with guidance from Tokyo garden architect Takao Watanabe, the space blends authentic Japanese aesthetics with local resilience.

The Japanese Garden’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is presented by TORO, whose support of the garden and the Bloomington community makes this milestone possible.

We are grateful for the partnership and collaboration of the following community organizations:

• The City of Bloomington
• Japan America Society of Minnesota
• Bloomington Sister City Organization
• St. Paul Nagasaki Sister Cities Committee
• The Japanese American Citizens League
• Bloomington Travel and Tourism
• Ikebana International Chapter 121
  

These partners play an essential role in honoring the garden’s legacy and enriching this community celebration.

Japanese Garden Art Department Events
On Wednesday, September 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., there will be a public reception with Artist Juliane Shibata.  The “Shibata at Normandale” ceramic workshops took place over the summer with Normandale Art instructor Lazare Rottach’s Introductions to Ceramics: Handbuilding class. Shibata collaborated with over 30 students in the class to prepare hundreds of cherry-blossom pieces decorated with a mix of personal and traditional Japanese-inspired visual motifs. The “Normandale Blossoms” that were created are an integral part of the over 1,000 pieces included in the Taking Shape exhibition, which is on display until in the Fine Arts Gallery until September 28.

Normandale Drawing Instructor Louise Fisher also had her students draw photos of the Japanese Garden. Those drawings will be part of an exhibition titled 29 Views of the Japanese Garden. The exhibition’s Opening Reception will coincide with the Japanese Garden’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Normandale Project Space. The drawings will be part of an exhibition that will be displayed from September 19 to December 20, 2026.

Richard Brown Colloquium Series Event
Normandale is also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Richard Brown Colloquium Series, and there will be Colloquium on Monday, September 21 from 2-3 p.m. about the Japanese Garden.

The session is titled Celebrating Two Forums for Contemplation: Normandale's Japanese Garden and the Richard Brown Colloquium Series. The conversation will interweave two important aspects of Normandale's history and emphasize the value of community.

The Richard Brown Memorial lecture celebrates together the 50th anniversary of Normandale's Japanese Garden and the 20th anniversary of the Richard Brown Colloquium Series. Presenters will include Jason Brown, Medtronic Senior Principal Statistician and Technical Fellow, Jane Fenton, Executive Director of Normandale's Foundation, Jack Norton, Normandale History faculty, and Cece and Steve Cope of the Friends of the Japanese Garden volunteer group.