JULY HAPPENINGS: Live Virtual Lecture with Dr. Ata Sarajedini, Sado Tea Ceremony, and Youth Calligraphy at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
“Bridge to the Cosmos – Big Bang (the Painting and the Theory) Explained” on July 7
July workshops, classes, and demonstrations:
Wednesday, July 7
Bridge to the Cosmos – Big Bang (the Painting and the Theory) Explained – Live Virtual Lecture by
Dr. Ata Sarajedini
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
Cost: FREE with paid museum admission. Tickets to be given out the day of the event on a first come, first
served basis.
Morikami’s Curator of Japanese Art, Carla Stansifer, will co-host a live virtual lecture with Dr.
Ata Sarajedini, an award-winning astrophysicist and professor of astrophysics from Florida Atlantic
University. In conjunction with the museum’s latest exhibition, Painting Enlightenment: Experiencing
Wisdom and Compassion through Art and Science, Dr. Sarajedini will explain the scientific perspective of
the solo artist in the exhibition, Japanese painter Iwasaki Tsuneo (1917-2002). Iwasaki was a biologist by
trade and brought his unique experiences and systematic perspective to his compositions, which he
created as part of his Buddhist devotional practice. Dr. Sarajedini will highlight the painting titled, Big
Bang: E=MC 2 , to help better understand the deep connections between humans and the stars that Iwasaki
conveyed through his artwork. Dr. Sarajedini will speak about the stars on Tanabata Day. Tanabata takes
place in Japan every year, and pays homage to two star-crossed lovers, princess Orihime and
prince Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair), who only see each other once a year on the
seventh day of the seventh month (July 7).
About Dr. Ata Sarajedini
Before coming to Florida Atlantic University in 2017, Dr. Ata Sarajedini, Ph.D., served as Associate Dean
for Natural Sciences and Mathematics as well as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences at the University of Florida. Before that, he was Associate Chair and Acting Chair of the
Department of Astronomy. After receiving his Ph.D. in Astronomy at Yale in 1992, he spent seven years as
a postdoctoral researcher and a Hubble Fellow at Kitt Peak National Observatory and San Francisco State
University. Dr. Sarajedini spent two years at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT as an Assistant
Professor before moving to the University of Florida in 2001. Dr. Sarajedini has over 500 publications,
which have over 11,000 citations. Of these publications, over 200 have appeared in peer-reviewed
literature.
Sundays, July 11, 18 or Thursdays, July 15, 22
Sado: Tea Ceremony (Beginners) – SOLD OUT
Time: 10:15am -12:15am
Cost: $55 (Morikami Members $50). Advance Registration Required.
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional
Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House
under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and
season to season.
Sundays, July 11, 18
Sado: Tea Ceremony (Intermediate) (Class)
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $55 (Morikami Members $50). Advance Registration Required.
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional
Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House
under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and
season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.
Saturday, July 17
Calligraphy Youth Workshop – SOLD OUT
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $25. Advance Registration Required.
Ages: 3 rd Grade – 12 th Grade*
*Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the workshop. The parent/guardian
is welcome to enroll in the workshop alongside their child.
Learn how to write your name and Japanese words with a traditional calligraphy brush and ink.
Due to COVID-19, all programming is subject to change. Always check the website for updates and/or
cancellations.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach.
For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
About Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been a center for Japanese art and culture in South Florida
since opening in 1977. Morikami invites guests to discover its South Florida’s history, connection with
Japan, and explore a series of six diverse gardens, each inspired by a different historical period and style
of Japanese gardening. Visitors experience traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through
engaging exhibits, varied educational programs and seasonal events, a world-class bonsai display, Pan-
Asian cuisine, and a distinctive museum store. The Morikami Museum is fully accredited by the
American Alliance of Museums.