The Art of Being Present: Opening Reception

A JAF Benefit Evening celebrating Oda Shihan's exhibition with a calligraphy demo, wellness activations, lite bites, & museum access.

Mind, Body & Brush: An Evening of Japanese Art and Culture

Join us for an extraordinary JAF benefit evening celebrating the official opening reception of The Art of Being Present: Calligraphy by Hekiun Oda, a solo exhibition organized and presented by the International Museum of Surgical Science.Hosted by the Japanese Arts Foundation (JAF) and the Japanese Culture Center (JCC) in support of JAF's cultural and educational mission, this special evening celebrates the opening of the exhibition with an artist talk, live calligraphy performance, and Japanese cultural experiences.

The solo exhibition was organized and is presented by the International Museum of Surgical Science, which directly invited Hekiun Oda to exhibit his work.

The Japanese Arts Foundation (JAF) and the Japanese Culture Center (JCC) are hosting the official opening reception in celebration of Hekiun Oda’s solo exhibition, which is organized and presented by the International Museum of Surgical Science. This special evening also marks the unveiling of the Museum’s renewed Japan Gallery, sponsored by the JCC.

The Art of Being Present: Calligraphy by Hekiun Oda

Organized and Presented by the International Museum of Surgical Science

At the heart of the evening is the official opening of Japanese Calligrapher and Visual Artist Hekiun Oda’s solo exhibition.

Rooted in the Japanese tradition of shodō (the way of writing), Oda's calligraphy explores the relationship between language, movement, and the human spirit.

Through expressive brushstrokes and words such as kokoro (心, heart or mind) and ima o ikiru (今を生きる, live in the present), his works invite reflection on mindfulness, emotional well-being, and the experience of being alive. Featuring original calligraphic works alongside the artist's traditional tools and materials, the exhibition reveals the physical discipline and artistic intention behind each stroke. Set inside the International Museum of Surgical Science, Oda's practice offers a unique perspective on the connections between body, mind, and artistic expression.

• When: Friday, November 13, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Where: International Museum of Surgical Science (1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL)
• General Admission ($50): Includes full evening entry to the exhibition opening, private museum access, live artist talk, calligraphy performance, wellness activations, hands-on origami, Asahi beer, sake samples, and lite Japanese bites.
• John Kelly Park Supporter Ticket ($75): Includes full General Admission entry, with $25 directly dedicated to funding Japanese signage and cultural elements placed in John Kelly Park in Lakeview.

Please note: This event features a curated tasting format with passed hors d'oeuvres, light bites, and beverage stations in lieu of a buffet or full liquor bar.

Step through the museum galleries for an evening centered around celebrating Hekiun Oda’s exhibition, connecting traditional Japanese fine arts with physical discipline, health, and presence:

• Live Giant-Brush Calligraphy Performance: Experience a dynamic, full-body shodō performance by Hekiun Oda in the Museum’s iconic Hall of Immortals.
• Artist Talk with Japanese Calligrapher and Visual Artist Hekiun Oda: Hear directly from the artist as he shares the creative process, techniques, and philosophy behind his work in The Art of Being Present.
• Reiki: A Japanese Healing Art (following the Artist Talk): Join Reiki teacher Véronique Frede for a live demonstration of traditional hands-on Reiki, exploring its principles of presence, breath, and self-cultivation, along with optional 10-minute chair-based Reiki experiences for guests.
• Interactive Origami Station (8:30 PM – 9:30 PM): Join instructors for a guided hands-on paper folding station to craft your own traditional keepsake to take home or to donate to the Cranes for Peace Project.
• Explore the Renewed Japan Gallery & Museum Exhibits: Enjoy private evening access to the renewed Japan Gallery—featuring historic Nihonga paintings depicting physician Hanaoka Seishū (1760–1835) and his development of general anesthesia, historical surgical calligraphy, and medical artifacts.

Proceeds from ticket sales directly support JAF’s cultural educational initiatives and the John Kelly Park Project. Located in Lakeview—the historic epicenter of Chicago’s Japanese and Japanese-American communities—this initiative integrates Japanese cultural elements into Kelly Park by planting Japanese trees and native greenery, alongside funding a commemorative sign honoring the neighborhood's deep ties to Japanese American history and Private First Class John H.Kelly.

• Exhibition Organizer & Presenter: International Museum of Surgical Science (IMSS)
• Opening Reception Hosts & Beneficiary: Japanese Arts Foundation (JAF) & Japanese Culture Center (JCC)
• Culinary & Beverage Partners: Asahi Beer, Gaijin, Kamehachi, Chicago TeaHouse, & Japanese sake provided by Cream Wine & Spirits.
• Generously Supported By: Byline Bank, Morgan Stanley, International Museum of Surgical Science, and Japanese Culture Center.