Wasabi press proprietor Patricia Wakida is a writer, artist, and bibliophile.

My media of choice are linoleum blocks, wood and metal type, and hundred year old letterpresses.

Most of my life has been dedicated to narratives: first as a reader and thinker; then as a Japanese papermaker, apprentice bookbinder, letterpress printer, and now a linoleum block carver. I am an active supporter and participant in California’s thriving literary and artistic worlds, having either organized, volunteered, or participated in exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops that promote and nurture the creation and flourishing of artistic and literary expression.

As a fourth-generation Japanese American, I have dedicated much of my career to researching and creating artwork that is reflective of my culture, history, and art. That work has always been informed by other artists whose work reflects the struggle for equality by exploring astonishing resilience of the mind and cultural adaptation to survive.

My artistic education began with an apprenticeship in Japanese papermaking in Mino, Gifu prefecture, Japan in 1996, followed by an apprenticeship at the Arts and Crafts Press under linoleum block artist and letterpress printer, Yoshiko Yamamoto, in Berkeley, California. Since then, I've continued drawing, carving, and printing in constant pursuit of whatever delights the eye.

 

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS

“The Bell: Japanese American Public Artwork and Memorial,” City of Hayward, Hayward, CA, February 2023

"Queen of Hearts" mural, Oakland Animal Shelter, Oakland, CA, 2018

"Day of Remembrance" public mandala, Yonsei Memory Project, Fresno Fairgrounds, Fresno, CA 2018

"Zoom Out" bronze medallions, Alameda County Arts Commission, East County Hall of Justice Project, Dublin, CA, 2017

"I Am An American: Family No. 25344" cut steel sculpture, Fresno Housing Authority, Droge Building, Fresno, CA, 2015

 

AWARDS and RESIDENCIES

Small Plates Book Artist Residency, San Francisco Center for the Book, 2015

Grapes of Wrath 75th Anniversary Fellowship, National Steinbeck Center, 2013

Artist Residency, Anderson Center at Tower View, 2012

Artist Residency, Espy Foundation, 2010

Artist Residency, Wurlitzer Foundation, 2009

Research Grant, Book Club of California, 2008

Fellowship, Japan-U.S. Community Education and Exchange/Kyoto Journal, 2001

 

SOLO AND TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS

Burlingame Public Library, Burlingame, CA 2019

Wasabi Press, Inkblot Gallery, Alameda, CA 2016

Where'er There's a Fight, Autry Museum, Los Angeles, CA 2014Where'er There's a Fight, National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, CA, 2014

Print Run with Jason Byers, 21 Grand Gallery, Oakland, CA 2009

Year of the Dog and Other Animals, Deep Roots Urban Teahouse, Oakland, CA 2006

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Recognition: Labor Meets Art in Explorations of Identity and Social Justice, Oakland, CA 2019 

EO 9066: Japanese American Voices from the Inside, Fresno State Madden Library, Fresno, CA February 2017 

I Bear Witness,12 Gates + Asian Arts Initative, Philadelphia PA 2016

Look! Book Arts, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, CA 2016

Multimatter Show, Giant Robot Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2013-2014

Year of the Horse, Giant Robot Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2013

Loteria Roadworks, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA, 2010

Little Lino, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2009

Bookworks 2008, Skylight Gallery, Main Public Library, San Francisco, CA 2008

Alphabet Food Print Exchange, Four Oceans Press, Oakland, CA 2008

We Are California History, Oakland Art Gallery, Oakland, CA 2008

ROADWORKS steamroller prints, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2007

Sit Down and Read, Another Room Book Arts Bookstore, Alameda, CA 2007

Homes for Ideas: book arts exhibition, Rock, Paper, Scissors Gallery, Oakland, CA 2007

APAture,180 Capp Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2006

Bookworks, Skylight Gallery, Main Public Library, San Francisco, CA 2006

Pacific Center for the Book Calendar Show, San Francisco Center for the Book, San Francisco, CA 2006

Art of the Book, Mills College Lesser Hall, Oakland, CA 2005

AC Transit Art Bus #9 spy cum court reporter eavesdropper with manual typewriter performance, Berkeley Arts Festival, Berkeley, CA 2004

What’s in A Book?: A Look at the Book Arts Scene, New Langton Arts, San Francisco, CA 2004

Re-Mix: An Exhibition on Humor and Social Commentary: Chicano/Latino and Asian American Art, SomArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2004

Post, Poster, Postest 6, National Post Office Gallery, Tokyo, Japan 2004

The Game: 11 Korean American and 11 Japanese American artists in celebration of the World Cup 2002 hosted by Korea and Japan, Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA 2002

Dialogue on Paper: Collaboration between Communities, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA 2002

 

COMMISSIONED ILLUSTRATIONS

Liz Carlisle/Island Press Healing Grounds book illustrations (publication date 2022); National Nurses United conference illustrations (2021); David Mas Masumoto/Red Hen Press Shizuko book illustrations (publication date 2023); Yoshiko Uchida/Heyday Books Journey to Topaz book cover (2021); John Forti/Timber Press Heirloom Gardening book illustrations (2021); The Great AAPI Elder Print Off (2021); Nutiva product logo (2020); Salinas/Watsonville Japanese American Citizen's League exhibition, "Gambatte Kimashita"; Mak'amham Ohlone Cafe; Village Harvest grains; Scratch Wines; People Organized to Win Employment Rights; University of San Francisco Parent/Infant program; Heyday Books; T-10 Video Festival and various experimental musicians and band posters.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Introduction to Linoleum Block Printing Instructor, San Francisco Center for the Book

Bookbinding and Printmaking Instructor, Associated Students of UC Berkeley Art Studio

Letterpress and Gocco Print Workshop Instructor: Kearny Street Workshop

Book Arts Lecturer: Center for Writers Artist Lecture Series, UC Santa Cruz

Letterpress and Bookbinding Teaching Assistant, Mills College Book Arts Program

 

OTHER ART AND HISTORY COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

Advisory Committee, M&H Type/Arion Press/Grabhorn Institute, 2021- present

Contributing Writer, Nichi Bei Weekly newspaper, 2019-present

Associate Editor, Densho Encyclopedia, 2011-present

Editor, Discover Nikkei website, 2010-present

Steering Committee, California Studies Association, 2011-present

Board of Directors, Kaya Press, 2010- present

Contributing Writer, Rafu Shimpo newspaper, 2011-2012

Board of Directors, Heyday Books, 2012- 2015

Grants Committee, Cal Humanities "Community Stories" grants, 2012

Board of Directors/Development Committee: San Francisco Center for the Book, 2005-2008

Book Arts Judge, California College of Art, 2008-2009

Advisory Committee: Poets & Writers California Programs, 2007-2009

2007 Literary Awards Judge (non-fiction): Asian American Writers Workshop, 2007

Jury Panelist: Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission, 2007

Advisory Committee and Panelist: Asian Pacific American Book Festival, 2006

Organizer: Great Valley Books Writers Conference, 2005

Selection Panel Member: California Poet Laureate, 2002

Board of Directors/Exhibitions Chair: Pacific Center for Book Arts, 2001-2003

 

Photo by Kristen Murakoshi