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[[File:Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (30 December 2006).jpg|thumb|230px|Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center.]]
[[File:Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (30 December 2006).jpg|thumb|230px|Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center.]]
'''Yuko Nii''' (born 1942) is an artist and philanthropist. She studied (1961–63) English and American Literature at [[Aoyama Gakuin University]], Tokyo, Japan. In 1963 she transferred to [[Macalaster College]], [[St. Paul, Minnesota]] as a scholarship student, and earned her BFA. in 1965. From 1966 she attended [[Pratt Institute]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], as a fellowship student and earned her [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] in [[painting]] in 1969. Her creative activities include painting, printmaking, graphic design, stage set, costume and fashion design. She distinguished herself also as a writer in journalism, poetry, fiction, essays and philosophy, publishing a book with [[Terrance Lindall]], entitled BLUE EYED SATORI, and writing for newspapers and magazines.
'''Yuko Nii''' (born 1942) is an artist and philanthropist. She studied (1961–63) English and American Literature at [[Aoyama Gakuin University]], Tokyo, Japan. In 1963 she transferred to [[Macalaster College]], [[St. Paul, Minnesota]] as a scholarship student, and earned her BFA. in 1965. From 1966 she attended [[Pratt Institute]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], as a fellowship student and earned her [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] in [[painting]] in 1969. Her creative activities include painting, printmaking, graphic design, stage set, costume and fashion design. She distinguished herself also as a writer in journalism, poetry, fiction, essays and philosophy, publishing a book with [[Terrance Lindall]], entitled BLUE EYED SATORI, and writing for newspapers and magazines.
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Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center.
Yuko Nii (born 1942) is an artist and philanthropist. She studied (1961–63) English and American Literature at Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan. In 1963 she transferred to Macalaster College, St. Paul, Minnesota as a scholarship student, and earned her BFA. in 1965. From 1966 she attended Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, as a fellowship student and earned her MFA in painting in 1969. Her creative activities include painting, printmaking, graphic design, stage set, costume and fashion design. She distinguished herself also as a writer in journalism, poetry, fiction, essays and philosophy, publishing a book with Terrance Lindall, entitled BLUE EYED SATORI, and writing for newspapers and magazines.
Yuko is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America – 60th Edition 2006, in Marquis Who’s Who of American Women – 26th Edition 2007, Marquis Who’s Who in the World – 24th Edition 2007.
Nii's works are in public and private collections including those of the Cincinnati Art Museum, The Berkshire Museum, The Alternative Museum, Equitable Assurance Collection, JP Morgan Chase Bank Collection, Bankers Trust, Security Pacific Bank, N.L. Industries, The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Bony Corp., Nihon Davis Standard Corp., and many outstanding public and private collections.
Nii's works are included in a number of publications, including Looking at Landscapes (Criterion Press) and she has been reviewed often in publications including the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and many newspapers. She has appeared on several television and radio programs here and in Japan.
Nii was an advisory panelist for the 1978 CAPS Grants under the Cultural Council Foundation of New York City and JPMorgan Chase 2007 Regrant Program. And she was twice (in 1981 and 1983) an artist in residence at Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Nii’s “Friends and Mentors” belong to an established circle of the international art world, and include Jack Lenor Larsen (Textile Designer), Isamu Noguchi (Sculptor), Toshiko Takaezu (Ceramist), Ansei Uchima (Print Maker and Painter), Toshiko Uchima ( Collagist and Box Assemblage Artist), Esteban Vicente (Painter and Collagist), Siah Armajani (Conceptual Artist), Hillary Harris (Film Maker), Max Newhouse (New Media Artist), Kenneth Noland (Painter), Max Roach (Jazz Percussionist), Leon Kirchner (Composer) and many more.
In 1998, Howard Golden, then Brooklyn Borough President named Nii Brooklyn’s “Women of the Year” for her “unparalleled devotion to her art and commitment to the artist community of Williamsburg/Greenpoint.” And he said that the WAH Center’s activities have resulted in “tremendous cultural & economic activity throughout the northern Brooklyn area, “ an area recently designated as an “historic district” and “economic development zone.”
In 2001, Governor George Pataki named Nii one of New York State's "women of the year"[2] and called her a “Woman of Excellence with Vision and Courage.” He also congratulated Nii on turning the historic Kings County Savings Bank into a multipurpose art center that serves the needs of artists and art aficionados of diverse backgrounds.
In 2003, Borough President Marty Markowitz gave Nii the Betty Smith Arts Award[3] for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the arts in Brooklyn. And also City Councilwoman Tracy Boylan] gave her the Outstanding Citizen award.
In 2008, Borough President Marty Markowitz named Nii as one of the six Asians who provide dynamic leadership and demonstrate outstanding commitment to the betterment of our community and the Borough of Brooklyn, and gave her the Asian Cultural Award along with Carol Enseki, President of the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
Acclaim
Yuko Nii with Marty Markowitz at the Asian Awards, 2008.
On July 31, 2008, the official Brooklyn Historian, John Manbeck, said in an article in the Brooklyn Eagle:
"Art in Williamsburg has made great strides. In fact, all Williamsburg has progressed, undoubtedly because of its attraction to artists. Much of the credit must be placed on the doorstep of the director of the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Yuko Nii. The center operates out of the former Kings County Savings Bank Building (1867).
I have known her for 20 years as a fine artist, friend & a very lively, active, and committed person who gets things going and gets them done. Esteban Vicente
During 20 years of solid friendship, Yuko and I have worked on several projects together, building a bridge of the arts between Japan and the United States. She is a seriously hardworking, totally committed and great artist. Additionally she is also a free spirited, fun loving person with a great sense of humor! Because she is so well balanced and because of her creativity and energy, I have no doubt that the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center will be a great success! Kenneth Noland
I have known and worked with Yuko on various projects over the years and she is a person of great intelligence and integrity as well as a great artist. Robert Panza, Executive Director, Visual Artists and Galleries Association
A remarkable person, dedicated to the art world and her fellow artists, as well as being a fine artist herself. Curtis Harnack, President, School of American Ballet
A person of great ability and integrity as well as a fine artist. Shoji Sadao, *[1] Honorary Life Trustee, The Isamu Noguchi Foundation
An exceptionally gifted fine artist, a farseeing visionary...sincerely concerned about the well being of the human race. Max Roach, Jazz Percussionist
A clarity of vision and mastery of technique so characteristic of the best Japanese artists. Stuart C, Henry, Director, The Berkshire Museum
The work of Yuko Nii carries a feeling of intensity and personal poetry. Her landscapes are in fact a landscape of her inner self. Tamon Miki, Chief Curator, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Yuko Nii’s giant contributions of energy, vision and generosity transformed almost overnight a disintegrating landmark building into a vital center for the arts in Williamsburg, an historic Brooklyn community that now enjoys the largest concentration of resident artists within the art capital of the world, New York City. Yuko's extraordinary achievement is itself a landmark for Brooklyn and marks her for recognition as a living treasure of Brooklyn and the nation! Robin Radin, Harvard Law School, Program on International Financial Systems, Associate Director
Yuko Nii Foundation
In 2008, Nii created the Yuko Nii Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to preserve and maintain the Kings County Savings Bank Building and preserve art and artifacts in her collection for future generations. Her collections includes 19th decorative and fine arts of the French and American empire periods, as well as an extensive collection of Japanese art from the Momoyama through the Meiji periods. A feature of her holdings is the renowned "Milton Collection," which includes first illustrated editions of John Milton's Paradise Lost, and most notably, the original illustrations for Terrance Lindall’s Paradise lost, considered to be the greatest illustrations for this epic of the 20th century.
Williamsburg Circle of International Arts and Letters
In 2012 Nii created The Williamsburg Circle of International Arts and letters, a program of the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (WAH Center). The Circle serves as a hub for discussion of new ideas about diverse subject matters. It is especially keen to point up intersections in areas of study that on first glance appear to be contradictory, especially in the areas of art and literature. Outstanding members include Arthur Danto, Terrance Lindall and others who are the foremost of their kind in scholarship in the 21st century. The chairman is Dr. Robert J. Wickenheiser, 19th President of St. Bonaventure University and creator of the most comprehensive John Milton collection in the world, now at the University of South Carolina.
'The response:'
Dear Ms. Nii,
Thank you for your email about the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center’s new humanities initiative, the Williamsburg Circle of Arts and Letters. I am always delighted to learn of an organization devoted to the humanities, and I wish you all the best with this exciting endeavor.Sincerely, Drew Faust, President of Harvard University
"The circle reminds me of the Round Table, the WAH Center Camelot Castle, and the members Knights\Ladies...our quests to explore and challenge the intellectual and artistic landscape unfolding like a self-weaving tapestry in our brave new century. I love your mission statement and your idea of a circle of diverse minds, talents, and perspectives to accomplish your mission is perfect. Will you consider creating\commissioning a round table for the group? -I guess you know who would be Arthur and Guinevere..." John Geraghty
"I'm honored to be asked to join your group, and delighted to accept. Thank you for the offer and please keep me posted on events, especially those that I can pass along to my students and Whitmaniacs...
"Congrats on your many successful projects! Here's to a new year of beautiful art and great company," Professor Karen Karbiener
You have put together a very fine board of representatives for your Williamsburg Circle of Arts and Literature. I admire your hard work in establishing an important network of outstanding professionals in a community, which has historical importance in the arts, literature, and humanities. It is time that you receive recognition for all your amazing efforts. Sending all best wishes Sincerely, Robert C. Morgan
I can't be there [at the first meeting on April 14th], but best of good fortune. Professor Martin Kemp, Oxford
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