Activities outside the studio provide opportunities for cultural exchange and a chance to meet the people of Onishi.
Artists may participate in local events and festivals as well as gatherings the art residency organizes.
The town of Onishi holds a summer music festival every July (on the 18th and 19th in 2026). The festival is one of the most exciting times of year, with people from all over the country coming to participate.
In 2027, we will hold our Early Summer Exhibition the same weekend as the Onishi Summer Music Festival (July 17th – July 18th)
The first and final residency groups will fire a traditional wood-fired anagama kiln. The residency founder Kjell Hahn runs the kiln and has been firing anagama for 17 years. Residency coordinator and artist Bella Kubo has been firing the kiln since 2024 and assists Hahn with the anagama firings.
It takes several days to load an anagama, meticulously packing wadding between every adjoining surface. The kiln then requires 4 days of 24 hour stoking, burning through several cords of wood.
The kiln is located across the river from Onishi on a nearby mountain in Kamiizumi town, Saitama prefecture. The kiln is 10 minutes from the nearest building, in the middle of a cedar forest.
During the firing artists will stay in a small cabin next to the kiln.
