Dear Members,
Fall is a spectacular time in the Pacific Northwest and, as we all know, there is no better place to be immersed in the royal colors of the season than Portland Japanese Garden. As the crimsons and golds begin to splash across the evergreens, the Garden becomes alive in activity—some of our busiest days are in autumn. The beauty of the landscape, of course, is what draws us here, but I think what truly makes it special is seeing how much our community shows out to connect with nature.
The shared joy we experience together speaks to one of the most enduring and valuable qualities of Portland Japanese Garden and, really, all public gardens: All of those with a kind heart and open mind are welcome. There is an undercurrent these days dragging us apart from each other, but here at the Garden we are fostering community. We are better for the people we have here. We want you here, we need you here.
That’s a significant reason, as we approach the end of the year, why we are asking for your support. Our nonprofit and public garden does a tremendous amount of good: It reminds us of how vital nature is to our lives, it helps bridge gaps through cross-cultural understanding, and it is a haven for those who recognize humanity resides in all that lives. This would be impossible to achieve without your patronage.
One way to gain an even deeper appreciation of this is our wonderful and recently opened fall exhibition, Designing Nature: Elements of Harmony. This show in our Pavilion and Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Galleries gives us a window to explore the people, traditions, and philosophies behind spaces like our haven in Portland’s West Hills. You can read more about that by clicking here. The most recent issue of The Garden Path further looks at how our organization fosters harmony, be it ikebana master and cultural partner David Komeiji or our newest community-building initiative and membership level, the Sakura Society.
Next year we expect to see incredible programming, continued enhancements to our landscape, and more opportunities to gather and feel connected to one another. Thank you again for your support and making us a part of your lives.
With gratitude,
Paul Schommer
President, Board of Trustees