September 12, 2023
This August, the School of Social Work and the International Foster Care Alliance (IFCA) came together in the building’s First Floor Gallery to celebrate the installation of a mural by Nagoya-based Japanese artist Tomoyuki Washio.
The mural (pictured on the left) illustrates the often-difficult lives of five Japanese foster youth, who traveled to Seattle as part of an IFCA-sponsored effort and collaborated with the artist during the mural’s two-week creation.
Washio developed a distinctive style in the local Japanese bar scene, creating memorable stickers and posters for local bands by using highly imaginative storytelling in a pop-art style.
Dean Michael Spencer, Associate Professor Emiko Tajima and members of the School’s art committee welcomed the artist, youth and other local organizations, such as the Mockingbird Society, which are focused on supporting foster youth and improving the foster care system.
The exhibit titled “Dancing in the Moonlight” will be on display until June 2024 in the First Floor Gallery.
The School of Social Work is one of few schools on the UW Seattle campus with a long-standing art collection, which is exhibited throughout its building and is open to the public for viewing.