ITSKE STERN TO DISCUSS HISTORY OF KOKESHI ON JULY 25

Itske Stern, author of several authoritative articles on the history of the traditional Japanese kokeshi, will discuss this subject and the remarkable collection she and her husband Anthony have collected over the years at a public program, "Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!", set for Saturday, July 25, at 2 pm. at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

This presentation is part of the new exhibition, Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy, organized by the Los Angeles Toy, Doll and Amusements (LATDA) Museum in collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, which presents more than 300 examples of this iconic Japanese doll contrasting traditional folk pieces with contemporary and custom kokeshi created by American and international artists. Over 200 pieces are drawn from the Sterns’ personal collection of over 1,400 individuals pieces.

Among the over 100 artists included: Alexandra Gjurasic, David Horvath & Sun-Min Kim, APAK, Margaret Kasahara, Kozyndan, Hine Mizushima, Amy Sol, David and Kazumi Svenson, Tara McPherson, Phoebe Washer and James Watts.

For more information on the exhibition, the public program or the Japanese American National Museum, call (213) 625-0414, or go to www.janm.org.