A question of characters

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Oregon Coast Community College in Newport and Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City are offering hands-on activities and an informational talk on the history of the Asian writing system.

At the college on Monday, May 23, art instructor Sachiko Otsuki will guide students and community members through the art of using East Asian ink, brush and paper, followed by a brief introduction to the history of the East Asian writing system.

Shodō 書道 "Way of Writing" is usually translated as Japanese calligraphy.  However, ink works are not limited to writing in East Asian cultures. Historically, writing and painting were often considered a set to show certain aesthetics.

書 Sho, writing and script, and 画 Ga, painting and drawing, have been developed for thousands of years as a form of representation method by lines.

The ink brush workshop is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and the lecture is from 12:20 to 12:35 pm at the college’s Central County Campus, 400 SE College Way in South Beach. For more information, go to oregoncoast.edu or call 541-867-8501.

At the Driftwood Public Library, visitors can learn how to create Hoi An lotus lanterns on Sunday, May 22. Head to the Community Room to make lanterns inspired by the Vietnamese lantern festivals of Hoi An.

The activity is designed primarily for teens, but all ages are welcome and no registration required.

The lantern workshop is from 3 to 5 pm at Driftwood Public Library located in Lincoln City at 801 SW Hwy. 101. For more information, go to driftwoodlib.org or call 541-996-2277.