Pacific Kids Mural Foundation

Founded in 2016, the Pacific Kids Mural Foundation is committed to promoting mural art and cultural projects for community.
Pacific Kids Mural Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization with 501(c)(3) status.

The primary objectives and purposes of the foundation is:

(a) to design and create mural art with children, youth and adults in a local community.

(b) to directly engage in the promotion of mural art and cultural projects for children, youth and adults in a local community.

(c) to provide cultural exchanges through the medium of artistic and non-verbal communication for children, youth and adults in a local community.

(d) to deepen understanding and build relationships between people from different culture, ages and social group through the process of making art.

Our Story / How we found this organization

1978

Takeshi Kuwakado (father of the current director Cho) studied Early Childhood Education at University of Washington for one year. Takeshi was introduced to the professors of Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena at a ECE conference. Exchange program started between Pacific Oaks College and Kyushu Otani College, where Takeshi was a president, from which Lumbini Kindergarten learned and benefitted greatly since.

2013

To commemorate the 50th year anniversary of Lumbini Kindergarten, Cho Kuwakado requested Yasuyuki Sakura, muralist/artist, who is a graduate of Lumbini Kindergarten, to plan an art event. In December, Sakura, with kindergarteners and the parents, made a large mural on the playground wall. At the same time, Sakura started Chara-Rimpa project based in Lumbini Kindergarten. This project offers educational art experience to children and their community.

2014

Jan. Andrew Jones, a sociologist, and Sarah Clark, a graduate of Pacific Oaks College, visited Lumbini Kindergarten. They were impressed with the memorial mural work. Sarah Clark was interested in the idea of doing an art project in her town of Burney, California. In May, Chara-Rimpa project team visited Burney and made a sister mural there.

2015

In April Andrew Jones, son of Betty Jones of Pacific Oaks College faculty, passed away due to incurable cancer. Part of his assets, gift from his wife Taeko Teshima, was designated in her memory, were donated to Chara-Rimpa project to use for its development in all parts of the world. Board members and officials of “Pacific Kids Mural Foundation” (california public benefit cooperation) are planning to offer educational arts projects to create beautiful and peaceful spaces.