Mission

The project for exchanging the artwork between Boston – Japan Iat.

(Previously called IAEM) was formed in March 2012 by Minatsu, an artist at Daruma the Factory, Inc. and an art therapist. The organization’s purpose is to bring the artwork of Japanese students to the attention of the greater global art scene. Minatsu conceived of the initiative after meeting art students from Tohoku, Japan, one of the places that suffered the most during the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. To encourage the students, Minatsu asked for help from local galleries and cafes in Boston. The Boston art community was astounded by the level of craft and innovation the student artists had already developed, and several galleries and cafes have enthusiastically offered their support and spaces to show. The exhibition is being organized by Out of the Blue Art Gallery (of Central Square), Artists Crossing, dwelltime, 1369 Coffee house, undergraduate students at the Tohoku University of Art and Design, and Daruma the Factory, Inc., which founded Iat.