Sunday, May 18 | 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Hotel Julien Dubuque | Grand Ballroom
Free with registration
Join us for a special screening and conversation celebrating the legacy of George Nakashima, a pioneering Japanese American woodworker/designer, architect, and icon whose life and work helped shape 20th-century American woodworking and design.
This intimate documentary, created by award-winning filmmaker and Dubuque native John (Terry) Nakashima, offers a rare, personal look at his uncle’s journey, resilience, and lasting impact.
About George Nakashima
This two-hour documentary presents a deeply personal view of George Nakashima’s 54-year career, following the evolution of his craft, aesthetics, and philosophy.
Nakashima’s life was shaped by global travel, spiritual exploration, as well as his internment during World War II at Camp Minidoka, where he met a Japanese master carpenter. He traveled widely as a young architect, working in Japan with Antonin Raymond, a Frank Lloyd Wright collaborator, and led the Golconde Dormitory project in India. He later settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
His signature furniture style features live-edge wood slabs and butterfly joints, reflecting a deep respect for natural materials. His work is held in major collections at the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through interviews, archival footage, and quiet reflection, the film offers a timeless portrait of an artist whose influence continues today.
Celebrating Local Artists and Stories
This event holds special significance for the Museum and community.
Born and raised in Dubuque, John Nakashima lived across from Allison Henderson Park until leaving for college in 1972. The Nakashima family shares a lasting connection to DuMA. John’s brother, Tom Nakashima, is a nationally recognized painter and printmaker whose work is part of the Museum’s permanent collection.