Portland Japanese Garden Will Host NUNO Textile Exhibition
The exhibit, which opens October 3, explores the intersection of tradition and modern transformation in Japanese fabric art.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Needlework
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Portlanders can explore the innovative fabric creations of the NUNO studio when a new exhibition opens at the Portland Japanese Garden this Saturday, Oct. 3. The showcase highlights the evolution of a design firm that has produced over 2,500 textiles since its inception.
Why it matters
The exhibit offers residents a chance to engage with internationally recognized textile craftsmanship through hands-on installations and immersive displays. It serves as an exploration of how ancient Japanese production techniques are reimagined for contemporary art.
The exhibition features 50 touchable textile samples curated from a massive archive of 2,500 designs. Adult admission to the garden is currently priced at $22.50 per person.
The players
Portland Japanese Garden
A cultural institution in Portland that hosts the exhibition.
NUNO
A Japanese textile studio founded in 1984 that is the subject of the exhibition.
Reiko Sudo
The lead designer who has directed the NUNO studio since 1987.
The details
The exhibition, titled Weaving Time: NUNO - Textiles of Tradition and Transformation, spans three distinct galleries. Visitors can observe spinning textile sculptures in the Pavilion Gallery, view light-responsive noren curtains on the West Veranda, and walk through illuminated fabric screens in the Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Gallery. Reiko Sudo, who has led the studio since 1987, oversees this blend of historical production methods and modern artistic technique.
Timeline
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026: Exhibition opens to the public.
Feb. 14, 2027: Exhibition closes.
Beyond the Bridges
This exhibition extends the garden's long-standing precedent of featuring cultural art installations alongside its traditional horticultural displays. It reflects a continuing trend of local institutions hosting international designers to highlight cross-cultural craft.
Visitors can access the galleries daily during regular garden hours from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $22.50, and the exhibit remains available for viewing through early 2027.
The takeaway
The exhibit demonstrates how textile design bridges historical traditions and modern aesthetics through tactile engagement. Keep the Feb. 14, 2027, closing date in mind if you plan to visit the installations in the coming months.
Further reading
You can find more background on local textile arts and community exhibits in our Needlework section.
More information
For admission details and hours, visit the Portland Japanese Garden official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
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