Happy international Women's Day!
In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we would like to celebrate Art Vista’s women-led board and spotlight our inspiring President, Maki Hirata.
Art Vista’s is a volunteer-led non-profit organization that delivers art education for K-8 classrooms. Each member contributes an incredible amount of time and creativity to defining a curriculum that will bring the joy of art to our communities. By engaging children in critical thinking, cultural exposure, open dialogue, and artistic experimentation, we aim to grow creative skills and confidence for the future generation.
Art Vista’s is a volunteer-led non-profit organization that delivers art education for K-8 classrooms. Each member contributes an incredible amount of time and creativity to defining a curriculum that will bring the joy of art to our communities. By engaging children in critical thinking, cultural exposure, open dialogue, and artistic experimentation, we aim to grow creative skills and confidence for the future generation.
Maki Hirata, President of Art VIstas
Maki Hirata started supporting Art Vistas as a volunteer docent at her son’s elementary school over 10 years ago. After supporting her predecessor for a few years in her role, she became President of the organization in 2016. Maki is hardworking, creative, and an inspiration to our entire organization. We had the opportunity to learn more about her experience and perspectives regarding leadership and are excited to share her thoughts below:
Q: Can you tell everyone how you became involved with Art Vistas and a bit about yourself?
A: I became involved with Art Vistas after I signed up as a volunteer docent in my son’s kindergarten class. I remember that all the docents at that time were invited to get together for coffee because the head docents needed some help. I also remember that only two people showed up: myself and one other mom. The next thing we knew, we were leading the Art Vistas program together for the school. We had so much fun and are still good friends after all these years.
I love making stuff and I try to live as green as possible by practicing the 4Rs (reduce, reuse repurpose, recycle), so naturally upcycling has become my passion. When I see broken or unwanted materials, I see the infinite possibilities it can have in the realm of art and craft. I feel joy when I can turn something into something else that can surpass the life for which they were originally created, and to be loved again.
Q: What does being a leader mean to you?
A: It means to always strive to be the person the team would want to follow and can depend on, to support and encourage team members so they can do the best at each of their school sites, and to dream and inspire others to achieve our mission.
Q: Have you ever faced struggles as a woman in leadership, or what has been one of the hardest things you’ve had to overcome?
A: Most of my friends seem to disagree, but I’m actually an introvert and quite shy around new people. In addition, English being my second language, I find it terrifying to speak in front of people, so in-person curriculum trainings are nerve-wracking everytime! Not sure if I’ve overcome that fear of public speaking, but I’m constantly working on it so I can better lead and provide better training to all of our docents.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of Art Vistas for you?
A:The most rewarding part of Art Vistas is seeing how excited students are when I walk into their classrooms with all the art supplies, seeing them enjoy the process of creativity - trying new techniques during hands-on projects, and seeing how proud they are of their masterpieces when they are complete.
Q: What is an inspirational quote or mantra that you live by?
A: I have a few that I practice: “Don’t lose your sense of humor (especially in difficult times)”, “Focus on the positive”, “Live life to the fullest”, and finally, “Make a difference.”
Q: Can you tell everyone how you became involved with Art Vistas and a bit about yourself?
A: I became involved with Art Vistas after I signed up as a volunteer docent in my son’s kindergarten class. I remember that all the docents at that time were invited to get together for coffee because the head docents needed some help. I also remember that only two people showed up: myself and one other mom. The next thing we knew, we were leading the Art Vistas program together for the school. We had so much fun and are still good friends after all these years.
I love making stuff and I try to live as green as possible by practicing the 4Rs (reduce, reuse repurpose, recycle), so naturally upcycling has become my passion. When I see broken or unwanted materials, I see the infinite possibilities it can have in the realm of art and craft. I feel joy when I can turn something into something else that can surpass the life for which they were originally created, and to be loved again.
Q: What does being a leader mean to you?
A: It means to always strive to be the person the team would want to follow and can depend on, to support and encourage team members so they can do the best at each of their school sites, and to dream and inspire others to achieve our mission.
Q: Have you ever faced struggles as a woman in leadership, or what has been one of the hardest things you’ve had to overcome?
A: Most of my friends seem to disagree, but I’m actually an introvert and quite shy around new people. In addition, English being my second language, I find it terrifying to speak in front of people, so in-person curriculum trainings are nerve-wracking everytime! Not sure if I’ve overcome that fear of public speaking, but I’m constantly working on it so I can better lead and provide better training to all of our docents.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of Art Vistas for you?
A:The most rewarding part of Art Vistas is seeing how excited students are when I walk into their classrooms with all the art supplies, seeing them enjoy the process of creativity - trying new techniques during hands-on projects, and seeing how proud they are of their masterpieces when they are complete.
Q: What is an inspirational quote or mantra that you live by?
A: I have a few that I practice: “Don’t lose your sense of humor (especially in difficult times)”, “Focus on the positive”, “Live life to the fullest”, and finally, “Make a difference.”