Florence Tanaka-Kuwashima is a visual artist and artistic director originally from Kamakura, Japan. She received her BA from the Dominican University of California and her MFA from Lehman College, CUNY. At Bronx Community College she teaches Ceramics I: Handbuilding, Ceramics II: Wheel Throwing, and Art Survey. Ms. Tanaka-Kuwashima currently works within the mediums of watercolor and ceramics. She has exhibited her artwork at BCC, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, the Hellgate Social Gallery, the Brecht Forum, the Blue Door Art Center, the Peekskill Clay Studio, and Bethany Arts. She had a one-woman show at the Hendrick Hudson Library where her paintings, ceramic pieces, and Tokonoma constructions––traditional art alcoves found in Japanese homes––were displayed.

As a performing artist, Ms. Tanaka-Kuwashima began her dance career in San Francisco, California, and moved to New York City to perform with the Asakawalker Dance Company. As the Artistic Director/Choreographer for MAD (Mad About Dance), she has performed in various international and tri-state area venues and has received numerous grants from NYSCA, Individual Artist Grants from the Queens Council on the Arts, Organizational Grants from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs/Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and LaGuardia Performing Arts Center LAB Initiative Grants. She incorporates her visual artwork into her costumes and sets and uses her art history background as an inspiration for her choreography.

Education:

BA, Dominican University of California

MFA., Lehman College, CUNY

Selected Creative Works:

Koyasan (Tokonoma series), wall hanging of wood, moss, driftwood, and ceramic, 2018.

Pearls in the Forest (Pearls in the Forest series), watercolor, 2018.

Hatchling (Hatchling sculpture series), ceramic, dried grass, cloth, and metal tubing, 2012.