Art and D&I: Observe, Create, Think

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, APU has launched the “Campus Art Gallery Initiative” in an effort to adorn the entire campus with art.

The theme of the first event is “Art and D&I.” We sense an exclusive power in art that embraces the "uniqueness of individuality," a quality that should be fundamentally valued. Through this event, we explore together with experts and artists how art can create open and inclusive spaces for diversity and inclusion (D&I), offering participants opportunities to reflect and learn.

As part of the program, we welcome a guest from HERALBONY open_in_new, a creative company whose mission is “Radiate Your Colors.” HERALBONY works with artists with disabilities to transform perceptions of disability and create new cultural values by bringing their unique expressions into society. The representative responsible for developing the co-creation concept will share the ideas and intentions behind this collaboration.

Learn more about the collaboration with HERALBONY

In addition, the event will feature a panel discussion with Kensei Ieiri, Director of BEPPU PROJECT open_in_new, an organization dedicated to promoting contemporary art in the local community; an interactive art appreciation session led by Zato open_in_new, a blind storyteller; and a painting workshop conducted by artist Hidekazu Kimura. Through stories and hands-on experiences, we will contemplate together how art can empower D&I.

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palette Event Details

■ Talk Session

Representatives from HERALBONY Co., Ltd. and APU will speak about the ideas and aspirations embedded in the co-creation concept.
Guest Speaker: Ms. Airi Fujii (Business Producer, HERALBONY CO., Ltd.)

■ Experience Programs
*Please select one program from the options below (on a first-come, first-served basis).

Interactive Art Appreciation Session (Capacity: 10 participants)

Facilitated by Zato, a blind storyteller, participants will engage in dialogue with one another while appreciating artworks together. By putting personal impressions into words and sharing them, participants are invited to experience moments in which new relationships emerge—between art and oneself, and between oneself and others.
Facilitator: Zato (Storyteller)

Drawing Workshop (Capacity: 30 participants)

Under the guidance of artist Hidekazu Kimura, participants will work in groups to create a single drawing together. By moving their hands according to a set of simple rules, participants can experience how lines and colors naturally emerge from within. Through the process of co-creation, this workshop also offers time to reflect on what it means to entrust, accept, and collaborate with others.
Facilitator: Hidekazu Kimura (Artist)

■ Panel Discussion

Mr. Kensei Ieiri, Director of BEPPU PROJECT, an organization that creates spaces where diverse people connect through art, and Professor Norimichi Hirahara, a cognitive psychologist and Vice Dean of the College of International Management, will discuss how art can generate open and inclusive spaces for diversity and inclusion (D&I).

Panelists:

• Kensei Ieiri (Director, NPO BEPPU PROJECT)
• Norimichi Hirahara (Vice Dean, College of International Management, APU)

Moderator:

• Hiroki Tahara (Director, Student Affairs, APU)

format_paint Related Event

[Morning Program on the Event Day]
“Art Tour” of Downtown Beppu Guided by BEPPU PROJECT (Japanese Only)

Date & Time: Saturday, June 13, 10:00–11:30
Meeting Point: Near the hand bath at Beppu Station (Meeting time: 9:50) (Google Map location_on)
Language: Japanese
Guide: BEPPU PROJECT staff
Participation Fee: JPY 2,000 (General) / JPY 1,500 (APU students)

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Event Title	Art and D&I: Observe, Create, Think
Date & Time	Saturday, June 13, 2026, 13:30–15:50
Venue	Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Green Commons (Building J) （Google Map location_on ）
Admission	Free of charge *The related event “Art Tour” requires a participation fee. *Parking available (limited capacity)
Eligibility	Open to everyone. If you require sign language interpretation or captioning support, please indicate this when registering.
Capacity	40 participants (first-come, first-served)
Registration	Advance registration required Application deadline: Sunday, May 31
Timetable & Program	13:30 Talk: “Working with HERALBONY” Guest Speaker: Ms. Airi Fujii (Business Producer, HERALBONY CO., Ltd.) 14:00 Art Experience Please select one of the following programs (first-come, first-served): Interactive Art Appreciation Session Facilitator: Zato (Storyteller) Capacity: 10 participants Painting Workshop Facilitator: Hidekazu Kimura (Artist) Capacity: 30 participants 15:10 Panel Discussion: “Art and D&I” Panelists: Kensei Ieiri, Director, NPO BEPPU PROJECT Norimichi Hirahara, Vice Dean, College of International Management, APU Moderator: Hiroki Tahara, Director, Student Affairs, APU
Inquiries	Campus Art Gallery Initiative Management Team Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University mail artapu@apu.ac.jp For media inquiries, please click here open_in_new

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