[Gunma, Nakanojo] Art Fair NAKANOJO, where artists "create" things, is being held.

• Table of Contents
• What is Art Fair NAKANOJO?
• Last time, approximately 500 items were sold, showing how art is beginning to take root in the Nakanojo Town.
• You can purchase works ranging from low-priced to high-priced pieces directly from the artists.
• Regarding special participation
• 37 participating artists (as of March 11, 2026)
• event
• Event Overview

What is Art Fair NAKANOJO?

Previous events

From June 13th (Sat) to 21st (Sun), 2026, the artist-led art fair "Art Fair NAKANOJO 2026" will be held at the former Hirozakari Sake Brewery in Nakanojo Town , Gunma Prefecture !

This fair started in 2024 as an exhibition and sales event where artists themselves are involved in the planning and operation.

Set in Nakanojo Town , where art is deeply rooted in the community, this project aims to make art more accessible not only through the experience of "viewing" but also through the experience of "purchasing" artworks.

The participating artists consist of artists with ties to Gunma Prefecture , including those who have moved to Nakanojo Town and those who have exhibited at the international contemporary art festival "Nakanojo Biennale."

Comment from the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Art Fair NAKANOJO

Chairman of the organizing committee: Yuji Nishijima (Sculptor / gallery newroll / Director of Geijutsu Nakanojo )

Art Fair NAKANOJO, which was established in 2024, will be holding its "second edition" following the great success of the previous one.

A new art fair, led by local artists, is being held in Nakanojo Town , Gunma Prefecture , the home of the Nakanojo Biennale, an international contemporary art festival with a 20-year history. 37 artists who have previously participated in the Nakanojo Biennale will be showcasing their works, which visitors can purchase.

Nakanojo Town is a rare example nationwide of a town that has successfully incorporated art while preserving the charm of old-fashioned rural landscapes. In the two years from 2024, four art facilities opened there. The community is nurturing artists, and a system is being created where art is increasingly revitalizing the region.

This art fair will mark a significant milestone in this trend. We hope you will experience the revitalization of the local art scene, which began with a regional art festival.

Regarding special participation slots

This time, we are pleased to present the works of Stan Anderson and Nobuo Mitsunashi. Although both artists have passed away, we are able to exhibit and sell their works thanks to the cooperation of their families.

This special appearance is a tribute to the two individuals who continued their creative work in Nakanojo until shortly before their passing.

Last time, approximately 500 items were sold, showing how art is beginning to take root in the Nakanojo Town.

Previous events

In Nakanojo Town, the "Nakanojo Biennale," which began in 2007, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, and has developed into a representative cultural event of the town for approximately 20 years. Against this backdrop, the "Art Fair NAKANOJO" was held for the first time in 2024. It received a response that exceeded expectations, and approximately 500 works of art were sold.

In the visitor survey, nearly 100% responded that they "would like to see the event held again," demonstrating the potential of this art market in the region.

Nakanojo Town is becoming a successful example of regional revitalization through culture, as it is a rare region in Japan where rural landscapes and art coexist.

You can purchase works ranging from low-priced to high-priced pieces directly from the artists.

This fair will showcase and sell art pieces across a wide price range, from affordable works to high-end pieces.

We also accept consultations regarding the introduction of art into shops, accommodations, residences, etc., and offer new proposals for incorporating art into community spaces.

Regarding special participation

This art fair will feature the special sale of works by two artists who were deeply involved with the Nakanojo Biennale but have since passed away.

All of these artists have continued to create their works while engaging with the local nature and materials, and their works are indispensable when discussing the history of art in Nakanojo.

This provides an opportunity to carry on the artist's work as a memory and to rediscover their expression through their creations.

Stan Anderson

Born in the United States in 1947, Stan Anderson was a sculptor who moved to Kuni , Nakanojo Town in 2004. He was known for creating outdoor works using natural materials such as driftwood and bamboo, and for his works that resonated with the local natural environment. At the Nakanojo Biennale 2011, he presented "Bear's Den," a work that allowed viewers to experience the artwork physically in the forest. He passed away in 2015. In 2025, a "Stan Anderson Retrospective" was held in the neighboring Higashiagatsuma Town, drawing renewed attention to his work.

Nobuo Mitsunashi

Born in 1960, he graduated from Musashino University Graduate School. An artist who worked between Japan and Brazil, guided by the principle of "staying in the location and creating with local materials." He participated in the Nakanojo Biennale in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025, leaving a strong impression on visitors with his approach to creating art that deeply connected with the land. He passed away in 2025.

37 participating artists (as of March 11, 2026)

Arthur Huang, Eimi Aida, Nobuharu Asano, Kosuke Iizawa, Marie Ikura, Yuka Ishiguro, Taira Ichikawa, imoco, Kouichi Ohno, Rina Ohyama, Akihiko Kuwayama, Mitsuru Koga, Mitsuo Saiki, Haruna Sato, Yumikio Sameshima, Shikano Yusuke, Harumi Shimazu, Hiroko Tachihara, DamaDamTal, Teresa Currea, Shinnosuke Tojo, Osamu Tomaru, Shunpei Nagai, Yuji Nishijima, Jin Hashimoto, Manami Hayasaki, Youhei Fujinami, Misa Funai, Hiromi Hoshino, Akira Mizuno, MiMi, miyoshi_makita, Akira Yanagisawa, Atsuko Yamagata, Haruka Yoshi (in alphabetical order / titles omitted)

Special guest appearances by Stan Anderson and Nobuo Mitsunashi

event

During the event, we will be hosting events such as talk sessions and performances to make the art fair even more enjoyable.

Talk session

"A place created by artists"

In this region, art spaces run by artists themselves have sprung up in various locations, serving as hubs for showcasing their work and fostering interaction. In this talk, we will welcome artists who are active both inside and outside Nakanojo Town to discuss the background and motivations behind creating their respective spaces.

① Saturday, June 13th, 18:00 - 19:30

Eimi Aida, Yuji Nishijima, Mikitamaki, MiMi, Kazuyuki Miyamoto, Takako Yamaguchi

② June 14th (Sun) 18:00-19:30

Rina Ohyama, Osamu Tomaru, Misa Funai / Interviewers: Yuji Nishijima, Mikitamaki

Free admission, no reservation required.

performance

June 20th (Sat) 18:30-19:30

DamaDamTal "I dream"

Cast: Akira Otsuka, Lily, Mikitamaki

Details regarding fees and other information will be posted on the website at a later date.

Event Overview

Art Fair NAKANOJO 2026

Dates: June 13th (Sat) - 21st (Sun), 2026, 10:00 - 18:00

Venue: Former Hirozakari Sake Brewery, 909 Nakanojo Town Nakanojo Town, Gunma Prefecture 377-0424

Admission fee: 500 yen for adults (unlimited entry during the exhibition period) / Free for junior high school students and younger.

The official website is here.