MAY 24 - Saturday - 2pm
(Visual Arts/Literary)  Japanese Canadian National Museum presents The Sakura Tree 

National Nikkei Heritage Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent. Burnaby, BC. 
 
Paintings by Karen Brownlee created to illustrate the children's book of the same title, 
written by Carolyn McTighe, published by Red Deer Press. The Sakura Tree is a gently 
eloquent tale which follows the progress of three "picture brides" who immigrated to Canada 
in the early twentieth century. Based on extensive research, oral histories and family photo albums, 
thirty four models and four cultural consultants, Karen's watercolours explore and present elements 
of Japanese Canadian life circa 1880-1920 (the so called "picture bride" era) until 1940 in the 
Lower Mainland.  Karen Brownlee is an Alberta artist with long standing friendships in the 
Southern Alberta Japanese Canadian community, an interest in exploring history, 
and a background in Loatian and Chinese brush painting.
 
Saturday, May 24, 2pm   Reception
Gallery tour and book presentation by Karen Brownlee. 
Book signing by Karen Brownlee and author Carolyn McTighe.
 
Supported by
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
National Association of Japanese Canadians
Nikkei Cultural Society of Lethbridge and Area
Ottawa Japanese Cultural Centre
80th Anniversary Japan-Canada Relations
Red Deer Press