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60th Anniversary Gala

Peace Lantern at Portland Japanese Garden, photo by Nina Johnson

“Casting the Light of Everlasting Peace”

In 2023, Portland Japanese Garden is celebrating its 60th birthday! In Japanese culture, year 60 (kanreki) is seen as the beginning of a new chapter, or a rebirth, and is filled with hope and possibilities. 2023 symbolizes a year where the efforts of the last 60 years are fulfilled with promises of a bright future. We hope that you can join us to celebrate this auspicious milestone.

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
  • Location: Portland Art Museum’s Mark Building
  • Tickets: Available for purchase
  • Attire: Black-tie attire optional (coat check available)
  • Doors open & cocktail hour starts at 5:00PM
  • Dinner in the Kridel Grand Ballroom at 7:00PM
  • Musical performance by Andy Akiho and remarks by our special guest Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center

This is a benefit with no auction or special appeal. Proceeds will benefit Portland Japanese Garden in its endeavors to preserve the world-class Garden, serve the community, and create extraordinary programming that advances its mission of Inspiring Harmony & Peace.

60 Years of Inspiring Harmony & Peace

In 1963, our organization was founded when Portland civic leaders banded together to build a Japanese garden on the site of an abandoned old zoo in Washington Park. These individuals wanted to provide the community with a garden of great beauty and serenity, while forging a healing connection to Japan on the heels of World War II.

Today, thanks to the incredible and enduring support of the community near and far, Portland Japanese Garden is known globally as the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and among the foremost Japanese cultural organizations in the world.

We also have a day of celebrating our 60th Anniversary at Portland Japanese Garden on Sunday, September 17th. We hope you can join us!


A heartfelt thank you to our 60th Anniversary Gala co-chairs, Bart & Jill Eberwein and Gary & Sue Reynolds, as well as committee members: Trish Adams, Doug de Weese, Greg Fitz-Gerald, Sally Gibson, Katherine Frandsen, Janelle Jimerson, Yoshio Kurosaki, Cathy Rudd, Drake Snodgrass, Mark Stell, Cindy Thompson, and Jeff and Lynn Wolfstone


Thank you to our corporate sponsors: