CREATING BRIDGES. Two years in the making, "Many Bridges," a special invitational exhibition featuring works by 20 AANHPI artists, opens May 7 at the Blackfish Gallery in Portland.

"Tree of Life in All Seasons: Early Spring," by Kanetaka Ikeda, mix-media assemblage, 47" x 45" x 36". (Image courtesy of the artist)

"Hot Club Sale," by Yuji Hiratsuka, intaglio and chine collé, 24" x 18". (Image courtesy of the artist)

From The Asian Reporter, V36, #5 (May 4, 2026), page 12.

Two years in the making, "Many Bridges," a special invitational exhibition featuring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists, opens Thursday, May 7, at northwest Portland’s Blackfish Gallery. An opening reception, scheduled for First Thursday at 5:00pm, kicks off the display.

Blackfish member and ceramic artist Ruri spearheaded the exhibit, which celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month. Ruri invited 19 artists from the Mashiko Ceramics and Arts Association (MCAA) and the Pacific Northwest to contribute to the project, with each artist showing their heritage — whether consciously or subconsciously reflected in their art works — connecting culture and people, and acting as a soaring bridge.

The 10 artists from MCAA include Emiko Asada, Douglas Black, Andrew Gemrich, Ikuzo Fujiwara, Akihiko Ishijima, Masayuki Miyajima, Yoshiji Onuki, Kei Shimaoka, Ryo Suzuki, and Satoshi Yokoo.

Pacific Northwest artists include Robert Dozono, Yuji Hiratsuka, mai ide, Limei Lai, Palmarin Merges, Kanani Miyamoto, Satoko Motouji, Roberta Wong, Kanetaka Ikeda, and Ruri.

The works on display were created by artists representing centuries of experience in many genres. Some are installation artists, printmakers, conceptual artists, and other artistic specialists. The pieces include drawings, mixed-media interactive visual art, sewing, paintings, abstract and pictorial compositions, clay sculptures, multidisciplinary art, and other mixed-media works.

In addition to First Thursday on May 7, an artist talk and reception is scheduled for May 17 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and the closing reception featuring a koto performance by Masumi Timson will be held May 24 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Other cultural exchanges related to "Many Bridges" include a tea ceremony and talk using tea bowls made by MCAA participating artists on May 20 at 2:00pm in the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner at the Portland Japanese Garden (611 S.W. Kingston Avenue in Portland). On May 22 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, a demonstration and workshop by Yoshiji Onuki, Andrew Gemrich, and Douglas Black takes place at the Mt. Hood Community College Ceramics Department (26000 S.E. Stark Street in Gresham, Oregon).

"Many Bridges" is featured at the Blackfish Gallery, located at 938 N.W. Everett Street in Portland, through May 30. Regular hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday. To learn more, call (503) 224-2634 or visit <www.blackfish.com>.