New painting by Seattle-based artist Michelle Kumata installed at ACRS

ACRS has proudly unveiled a new addition to the ACRS art collection: “Hope, Transformation and Empowerment” by Seattle-based artist Michelle Kumata.

“ACRS is represented by the rainbows, which embrace, connect, empower and help diverse communities heal,” Kumata shared on Instagram about her painting.

 

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I’m honored to have my work included in the art collection at Asian Counseling and Referral Service @acrsnews , an incredible local organization that promotes social justice, and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees and American-born – by developing, providing and advocating for innovative community-based multilingual and multicultural services. The painting is called, “Hope, Transformation and Empowerment.” ACRS is represented by the rainbows, which embrace, connect, empower and help diverse communities heal.

A post shared by Michelle Kumata (@michellekumata) on Jun 30, 2020 at 7:38pm PDT

ACRS’ art committee commissioned Kumata to create a work that reflects the many communities ACRS serves. Completed in June of 2020, the painting was installed on the second floor of the ACRS building in the main hall.

“The ACRS Art Committee wanted to acknowledge how the organization has expanded to providing services beyond the AAPI community since it moved to the Rainier Valley in 2008,” said ACRS Deputy Director Elisa Del Rosario.  “We wanted a piece that was expressive of that diversity and spirit of ACRS.”

Kumata worked as a graphic artist at The Seattle Times for over a decade and served as exhibit director at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience for 12 years, where she worked with community members to bring their stories to life through compelling exhibitions. Her work has been shown at Frye Art Museum, Center on Contemporary Art, Bumbershoot, Nordstrom and The Society of Illustrators Museum, New York, NY. Read more about the artist and her work.

ACRS features one of the largest and finest collections of contemporary art by Asian, Southeast Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander artists in our region. Since the development of ACRS’ building in 2006, a volunteer art committee has raised funds and procured artwork for the structure’s public spaces and counseling rooms. The art collection is meant to beautify the building, provide creative or peaceful inspiration, and reflect the many cultures of the clients and neighborhood. ACRS also honors the original inhabitants of our land by exhibiting Native American artworks and represent our newest client groups of Latinx, African Americans and East Africans. The Art Committee also supports visual art classes for behavioral health clients and encourages the display and sale of their artwork in the Community Art Gallery and other cultural locations.