Experiencing Nature Through a Unique Wooden Toy Exhibition in Suginami

A Journey into Nature: Suginami's Wooden Toy Exhibition

Suginami Ward recently hosted an innovative event at the Cesion Suginami, titled "Gathering in the Suginami Forest: The Wooden Toy Exhibition," which took place from August 14 to August 23, 2026.
The exhibition aimed to celebrate the area’s historical ties to wood by transforming the venue into a vibrant space where visitors of all ages could engage with the theme through creative activities and educational programs. The concept was to create a welcoming environment inviting attendees to explore art and nature in unison.

Exhibition Design and Experience

The event's entrance led visitors through carefully crafted pathways that seamlessly guided them into the heart of the exhibition area. This journey was enhanced by the use of natural fragrance and visually stimulating installations, making it hard to resist the allure of what lay ahead. Guests could freely express their creativity through painting and art, filling the space with the soothing smell of wood.

Stunning Window Art

One of the exhibition's highlights was a wonderful "Window Art" installation featuring artwork created by artist Keiko Muto. Using Kitpas, a safe and eco-friendly art medium made from rice wax, Muto painted enchanting scenes of forest creatures and whimsical animals on the glass walls leading to the exhibition room. This captivating visual guide sparked joy and anticipation among visitors as they approached the main event, adding an engaging narrative to their experience.

Collaboration with Local Industries

A significant aspect of this exhibition was its commitment to supporting local industries. Collaborations with regional furniture and forestry companies aimed to give new life to discarded wood scraps, transforming them into interactive art installations.
1. Wall Art: Day & Night Forest: Volunteers from Okawa City, Fukuoka, painted charming animals and flowers on veneer offcuts, creating an evolving wall masterpiece throughout the exhibition.
2. Wooden Canvas: Measuring an impressive 6m by 6m, this giant canvas made from assembled veneer scraps allowed attendees to unleash their creativity using Kitpas by contributing to an enormous collective artwork.
3. Wooden Balancing Blocks: In collaboration with a reputable lumber company from Yame City, Fukuoka, the exhibitors created an original stacking block area made from cedar offcuts. This interactive space appealed to both children and adults, encouraging imaginative play.

Heartfelt Art Workshops

In an effort to foster a sense of self-worth among children, the exhibition featured an art workshop themed around the concept of preserving the forest for future generations. Participants created unique heart-shaped artworks, allowing them to take home a tangible piece of their memories and achievements while boosting their self-esteem. This program proved to be a vital means of enhancing the overall satisfaction of families who attended.

Strengthening Community Through Co-Creation

The straightforward benefits of this event extended beyond just art and toys; it illustrated the power of collaboration in creating a shared value from community resources.

- Tailored Support: The event planning included comprehensive support from the initial brainstorming phase. This approach allowed for adaptability to any new requirements that arose during discussions, ensuring that the core mission remained intact.
- Focus on Sustainability: By promoting partnerships with local artists and industries, the exhibition contributed to CSR activities while raising awareness of environmental issues.
- Total Experience Design: From the design of movement pathways to participatory content that increased the enjoyable aspects of the visit, every detail was orchestrated to create a memorable experience.

Event Overview

- Title: Gathering in the Suginami Forest: The Wooden Toy Exhibition
- Dates: August 14-23, 2026 (10 days)
- Location: Cesion Suginami, Umesato, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
- Produced by: This event included space design, workshop development (including the design for the heart-themed art workshop), and partnerships with local industries.

Collaborators Include

- Artist Keiko Muto
- Okawa City Local Industry (Fukuoka)
- Yame City Forestry Business (Fukuoka)

Contact for Inquiries

For those interested in hosting a similar event or utilizing local resources for creative space design, do not hesitate to reach out to our Business Development Department.