Mingei International Museum

10/17/2026

🐎 NOW OPEN! “Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema” invites you to explore a centuries-old tradition through a remarkable collection of painted plaques, revealing the stories, symbolism, and deeply human wishes behind each one.

Join us to discover how something as personal as a prayer can connect us all.

🐎 Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema
🔗 Plan your visit at Mingei dot org

10/16/2026

🐎 NOW OPEN! “Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema” invites you to explore a centuries-old tradition through a remarkable collection of painted plaques, revealing the stories, symbolism, and deeply human wishes behind each one.

Join us to discover how something as personal as a prayer can connect us all.

🐎 Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema
🔗 Plan your visit at Mingei.org

10/15/2026

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to hear directly from Guest Curator Meher McArthur at next Friday's Art Break, "Painted Prayers: Japanese Ema Votive Plaques". Her years of research and expertise helped lay the foundation for Mingei's newest exhibition, "Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema".

A Japanese art historian and longtime champion of Japanese folk art, Meher will take us deeper into the fascinating history of "ema", the wooden plaques used to convey prayers and wishes at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Discover the meanings behind their imagery, how the tradition has evolved over centuries, and the role these painted prayers continue to play in Japanese spiritual culture.

Join us for this special Art Break and gain a unique perspective on the exhibition.

🐎 Painted Prayers: Japanese Ema Votive Plaques
🎤 Art Break with Guest Curator Meher McArthur
🗓️ Friday, October 23 | 10:30–11:30am
🔗 Learn more at Mingei dot org /Whats-On

10/14/2026

📖 A new exhibition deserves an extraordinary catalogue!

We're thrilled to unveil the brand-new catalogue for "Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema", a remarkable achievement brought to life by the incredible talent of our very own Mingei team!

Beautifully designed by our Senior Graphic Designer, Elizabeth Martinez, whose vision and meticulous attention to detail shaped every page, this publication is a testament to the creativity and professionalism we're so fortunate to have at Mingei.

At its heart is the extensive research and expertise of Guest Curator Meher McArthur, whose years of scholarship have helped deepen the understanding and appreciation of ema and Japanese folk art. Developed alongside Curator Ariana Torres and contributing scholar Hilary K. Snow, PHD, the catalogue brings this rich history to life through thoughtful writing and photographs from Meher's travels to Japan, where she documented the places and traditions surrounding ema.

More than a companion to the exhibition, this one-of-a-kind publication makes a meaningful contribution to the scholarship of ema, celebrating a centuries-old tradition and its enduring relevance.

We're incredibly proud of the team behind this one-of-a-kind publication, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Be among the first to get your hands on a copy, available at Shop Mingei when "Painted Prayers" opens this weekend!

🐎 "Painted Prayers: The Japanese Folk Art Tradition of Ema"
🗓️ Opens Friday, October 16
📖 Catalogue available at
🔗 Plan your visit at Mingei dot org / Whats-On

📸 Pictured: Elizabeth Martinez, Senior Graphic Designer (left), and Ariana Torres, Curator (right). Slide 3: Meher McArthur, Guest Curator.

10/13/2026

💐 For the past four years, we’ve had the honor of welcoming Sherman Heights Community Center (SHCC) to Mingei as part of our Community Spotlight series to create an ofrenda in celebration of Día de los Mu***os.

Rooted in a shared commitment to art, making, and community, this partnership holds a special place in our hearts. Each year, SHCC’s artists transform the niche just outside our doors into an extraordinary tribute, leaving our team and visitors in awe of their creativity and craftsmanship.

This year, we spoke with SHCC Executive Director Daniela Kelly and the artists behind the ofrenda, Francisco Soto and Lidia Martinez, to learn more about the organization’s work in the community, the inspiration behind this year’s theme honoring athletes, and the meaning woven into every detail.

🌼 Watch to hear their stories, then stop by Mingei to experience the ofrenda in person, on view through November 9!

And be sure to visit Sherman Heights Community Center for a month of Día de los Mu***os programming honoring and remembering our loved ones. 🧡

10/12/2026

10/12/2026

🍂 Ready to turn fallen leaves into funny little friends?

Join us for Mini Mingei this Friday as we celebrate fall with a reading of "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert! Then, little makers will gather leaves and other natural materials to create their very own colorful leaf people.

We'll take care of the supplies and activities. Just bring your little ones and get ready for a morning of storytelling and hands-on fun!

Mini Mingei is designed for parents, grandparents, and caregivers with children ages 2–5.

🍁 Mini Mingei
🗓️ Friday, October 16 | 10–11am
🎟️ Pay-What-You-Wish
🔗 Learn more at Mingei. org / Whats-On

Mini Mingei is now Pay-What-You-Wish!
Our suggested contribution is $5 per child and $5 per adult to help cover art supplies, but any amount, including $0, is warmly welcomed.

10/12/2026

🛹 Something BIG is rolling into Mingei!

Get ready for *Skate Craft: Do-It-Yourself Design in Skateboarding", opening November 21!

Skateboarding has always been about doing things your own way. Built on creativity, ingenuity, and a fearless DIY spirit, "Skate Craft" celebrates the skaters and makers who have shaped the culture by taking matters into their own hands.

Over the coming weeks, we're taking you on the "Journey to Skate Craft"! Go behind the scenes with our curators and collaborators, discover the stories behind the exhibition, and get a sneak peek at what you can expect when the doors open.

We're going ALL IN on DIY, and we can't wait to show you what we've been working on! 🔥

🛹 "Skate Craft: Do-It-Yourself Design in Skateboarding"
🗓️ Opens Saturday, November 21, 2026
🔗 Learn more at Mingei .org/Whats-On

📸: "Lamp Ramp" skated by . Courtesy of the Zenga Bros. Photography by Gordon Nicholas.

10/09/2026

🎨 Good art is even better with good company!

Our latest Member Excursion took us to LACMA for a day of art and exploration! Being a Mingei Member means joining a community that shares a love of creativity, with special opportunities to experience it together.

Joined by Mingei Executive Director & CEO Jessica Hanson York, members enjoyed a guided tour of the new David Geffen Galleries, where we experienced the incredible Do Ho Suh piece "Jagyeong Hall, Gyeongbok Palace" and works from essential artists like Betye Saar.

We then immersed ourselves in the fantastic "Textile Alchemy: The Art of Reiko Sudō" and NUNO". The exhibition was a Mingei favorite, and we especially loved seeing the full recreation of its Tokyo store.

And what better way to wrap up the day than a little happy hour on the bus ride home? 🥂

New friends were made, great art was enjoyed, and our Membership team took care of all the planning!

💛 Interested in joining our next adventure? Discover the benefits of Mingei Membership at Mingei. org / Membership