Introducing
End Of Summer at the Japan Institute. A dynamic cross-cultural artist residency program for emerging artists, connecting the Pacific Northwest and Japan through art, nature and community.
The Beginning
Culture with a personal touch
In 2016, Matt Jay founded End of Summer, the innovative cross-cultural art program and artist residency which recruits young contemporary artists of Japan to live, learn and create for the month of August each year in the Pacific Northwest and Portland, Oregon. The program also includes a dynamic guest lecturer series which is open to the public.
End of Summer grew in both stature and impact as each year, young Japanese artists would return home earning invitations to be published and show at galleries, museums and exhibitions as well as winning top awards for contemporary art.
Matt’s eye for new artistic talent, knowledge of Japan as well as the Pacific Northwest, combined with his ability to build new communities gave the participants of End of Summer, an experience unlike any other cultural program.
Sayaka Ohata working in the studio.Artists visiting Publication Studios in 2016.The groups gained additional inspiration from a series of international guest speakers from academia, art and leading institutions of creativity.
Each year, the local artists of Portland exchanged ideas with their contemporaries from Japan.
Yukie Kamiya's lecture in 2016.Japnese Artists from 2016 at a BBQ hosted by a local artist.Masumi Kawamura speaking with local artist.“End of Summer is in many ways a continued evolution of the basic impulse to share this place with others, and have an experience together in a fixed amount time.”
— Matt Jay
The next chapter of End of Summer begins in 2024 with introductory events in Portland and Japan while its new studios are being built on the Japan Institute campus. Completion goal is 2025.
Artists prepping for the final exhibition.“I care as much about who an artist is as an individual in the world as I do the result of their work.”
—Matt Jay
Matt Jay
May 29, 1987–Nov 22, 2022
Matthew C Jay, founder of End Of Summer passed away unexpectedly on November 22, 2022. He was passionate about Portland and its place in the world of art and creativity. He worked tirelessly, drawing inspiration from all the artists who grew so much from Matt’s love and support. His vision for a more diverse, creative and equitable world will be a driving force of this next chapter of End of Summer at the Japan Institute.
Give Support Now
Discover and nurture the next generation of artists of the Pacific Northwest and Japan.
End of Summer will continue, that is for sure. It will evolve according to Matt’s plans with his deep commitment to making a place to find, nurture and protect artists and their ideas...to help a diverse group of artists experience the world together. Matt’s dream of building a global community whose collective goal was to create an empathetic place for all of us to grow through art, self-expression remains our mission.
Matt was a visionary force and not so easy to replicate or replace. But his very loyal friends, associates and collaborators will help continue his dream and pave a new direction. A new foundation has been formed, its leaders are being identified and the direction on how to support the lives of new artists is our priority. In the upcoming months. If you would like to help us, please give to the foundation shown here. We look forward to hearing your ideas as we continue this dialogue and the evolution of one of the most unique artist residencies in the world. The opportunity to be inspired by the cultures of East and West has never been more timely.
Respectfully,
John, Janet and Keenan Jay
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