Sumida GOSAI Art Festival Announces Lineup and Key Visual

From Friday, September 4, 2026, to Sunday, December 20, 2026, the lineup and key visual for the "Sumida GOSAI Art Festival," the first comprehensive art festival organized by a ward, have been decided*. Numerous programs will be implemented, each with a different perspective from the five directors, engaging with the land, people, and history of Sumida. Diverse expressions will unfold, ranging from fine arts, theater, dance, and music to science, food, care, and city walks. For the public call projects, there were 264 applications. 18 projects were selected, with many unique initiatives co-created with the people and communities of Sumida. The key visual reconstructs the word "墨田" (Sumida). By having each square tilt and move randomly, it expresses the dynamism of Sumida being enlivened by the artworks. It is planned to be deployed as posters and flags throughout the city. This autumn, please enjoy Sumida as it vibrantly colors, where art and community power resonate. List of Participating Artists and Organizations for Self-Organized Projects (Alphabetical Order, Titles Omitted, as of April 14, 2026) Individuals with disabilities involved in art and welfare facilities within the ward, Ito Seiko, xlab [University of Tokyo Kakehi Lab], Yuko Okada, Kōmei Kaihatsu, Sachiko Kazama, Tomoshi Kawata, Sunsu Kura, Gekidan Tobiza, Akio Koizumi, Tomotaka Koizumi, Com-I, Risa Sato, Sumiko Sawamura, Kōji Suzuki, Masashi Takasuka, Dorita Takido, Haruna Nakayama, Nazo-on Kenkyusho, Nande Sonnan Project, Nozoki, Hydroblast/Kyoko Takenaka, Megumi Fukuda, Aiko Miyanaga, Ai Yamaguchi, Kota Yamasaki, Kanji Yubisashi. Public Call Projects For details, please check the official website of "Sumida River Nature and Culture: Dreaming in Ink" (common name: Sumiyume). URL: https://sumiyume.jp/news-post/6609/ *As of September 2025, according to Sumida Ward, this is the first comprehensive art festival organized by a municipality to be held over several months within the 23 wards of Tokyo. Key Visual Designer's Comment The characters "墨田" (Sumida) have been deconstructed into colored planes and reassembled into a graphic. While using vivid colors as the base, achromatic colors have also been incorporated to express "five colors" from multiple perspectives. Furthermore, the random tilting of each color plane is envisioned to create a sense of dynamism and exchange within Sumida's "space" through the artworks. A responsive design approach was adopted to maintain its integrity across various media by allowing for ratio changes. Designer Profile Kohei Sekita (Sekida Kōhei) Graphic designer. Active in all aspects of graphic design, including logos, advertisements, editorial, and signage design, ranging from small local notices to corporate brand design, regardless of scale. Residing in Sumida Ward, he has also undertaken designs related to the local community, such as the guide map for Hikifune, the logo for "Noud Hikifune," and designs for Sumida Modern pop-up events. Event Overview Name: Sumida GOSAI Art Festival Theme: Sumida's Five Colors Concept: Hakkoyoyo (Spirited and Energetic) Executive Director: Shingo Kanno Directors: Akira Aoki, Yasuko Ogihara, Ryoichi Kiyomiya, Daisuke Mita Period: Friday, September 4, 2026 – Sunday, December 20, 2026 Regular Holidays: Generally Mondays and Tuesdays (open if the holiday falls on these days) Venues: Entire Kanegafuchi area, Kikukawa 3-chome Kaikan, Former Sumida Elementary School Gymnasium, Kinshicho Area, Commune X, Shirohige Higashi Apartments Area, Sumida River Terrace, Sumida Ward Social Welfare Center, Sumida Ward Hikifune Culture Center, Sumida Lifelong Learning Center (Yutoria), Sumida Triphony Hall, Sumida Park Gallery Sasaya, Sumida Park Theater Kura, Tachibana Taisho Folk House Old Koyama Residence, Tarohachi, Community Support Center Connect Base Sumida, Chiba University Sumida Satellite Campus, Tobu Museum, Noud Hikifune, Town areas between Hikifune and Higashi-Mukojima, Next to Hojo Komuten, Ryogoku Area, etc. (Alphabetical Order) Admission Fee: Free (excluding some facilities and events) WEB: https://sumida-artfest.jp SNS: X | @sumida_artfest Instagram | @sumida_artfest Facebook | Sumida GOSAI Art Festival Organizers: "Sumida GOSAI Art Festival" Executive Committee, Sumida Ward Co-organizers: "Sumida River Nature and Culture: Dreaming in Ink" Executive Committee