Cruising J-Town: Side Trip
ArtCenter presents Cruising J-Town: Side Trip, featuring four iconic vehicles designed by Japanese American alumni from the College’s renowned Transportation Design program.
The exhibition celebrates the legacy of Japanese American ArtCenter alumni who have shaped automotive history and contributed to the visual language of utility and identity.
Admission is FREE and open to the public. Please check in with Campus Security when arriving.
Iconic Vehicles
1990 Mazda Miata
Tom Matano (B.S. ‘74)
The Miata is known for its compact form and emphasis on driving experience, which has fostered a passionate community of owners and enthusiasts.
2008 Acura TL Type-S
Jon Ikeda (B.S. ‘89)
The 2008 TL became Acura’s best-selling model and stands as a key example of how intentional design found wide appeal in early 2000s car culture.
1963 Corvette Sting Ray
Lawrence “Larry” Shinoda
& Peter Brock (B.S. ’56)
Shinoda is a pioneering figure in automotive design, credited with redefining American performance cars by blending aesthetic appeal and speed.
Beyond his design work, Shinoda's story is one of overcoming adversity, including internment during World War II. His contributions are still celebrated today.
The installation is presented in conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum exhibition, Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community, currently on view at the College’s Peter and Merle Mullin Gallery.
Both exhibitions are curated by writer and scholar Dr. Oliver Wang