A Journey to the Origins of Art at TAU Tama Art University Hachioji Campus — An Open Campus Experience in the Oil Painting Department
🎨 A Journey to the Origins of Art at Tama Art University Hachioji Campus — An Open Campus Experience in the Oil Painting Department
📍 2-1723 Yagisawa, Hachioji City, Tokyo — Tama Art University Hachioji Campus
Just a little way from the city center lies the "Tama Art University Hachioji Campus." Surrounded by vast greenery and tranquility, this campus feels like an art museum in the forest. This time, we visited the open campus of the oil painting department and fully immersed ourselves in its charm.
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🖌️【1】Oil Painting Department Open Campus: See the "Real" of Students and the Field
We visited during the July open campus. At the oil painting department booth, there were student artwork displays, individual consultation corners, and live creation sessions. The works were simply breathtaking. From abstract to figurative, a wide variety of styles were on display, revealing just how broad the range of expression within "oil painting" can be.
Conversations with students provided real insights such as "struggles during the exam preparation period," "changes in production style after enrollment," and "close relationships with professors," which were very helpful.
📌 TIP: The oil painting studios are available 24 hours a day. It’s an ideal environment for those who want to immerse themselves in their work.
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🧑🎨【2】Open Studios and Annual Graduation Exhibitions: A Chance to Experience the Production Scene Up Close
One of the most impressive parts of the campus was the open studio. Inside the oil painting building, studios of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students currently in production were open to the public.
The space, crowded with palettes, brushes, and canvases, was truly a "living studio." It was filled with information you can’t get from school guides, such as individual production themes and carefully arranged tools tailored to each artist’s preferences.
📌 TIP: If you talk to the students, they will often explain their works in detail. Feel free to strike up a conversation!
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🎪【3】Art Festival (Geisai): The Annual Big Stage Where Students’ "Now" Explodes
The autumn school festival, "Art Festival," is held every early November and is open to the public. The campus buzzes with student installations, live performances, and sales events, resembling an art festival.
The oil painting department features impressive giant canvas works and live painting. The food stalls are decorated with unique artistic flair, creating a space full of artist spirit.
📌 TIP: Some works are available for purchase. You might discover a favorite young artist!
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📚【4】Library and Art Museum: A Treasure Trove of Knowledge That Fuels Creativity
The on-campus library boasts an overwhelming collection related to art and design. It is well-stocked with art books, art criticism, and technique manuals, frequently used by students for research between their creative work.
The attached art museum, "Tama Art University Museum" (distinct from the Tachikawa annex), regularly holds graduation exhibitions and special exhibitions. It is free for visitors outside the school and offers encounters with the challenging expressions of future artists.
📌 TIP: Check the museum’s exhibition details on the official website in advance.
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"Encountering the 'Landscape of Knowledge Connecting People and Creativity' at Tama Art University IAAD"
"Located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Tama Art University’s IAAD is an intellectual hub crossing art and humanities. Here, dialogues that approach the core of human creativity through art are open not only to students but also to the public."
🚍 Comfortable Access to Tama Art University Hachioji Campus! Bus Guide from JR & Keio Lines
The serene forest and greenery surrounding Tama Art University Hachioji Campus are accessible by convenient route buses from JR and Keio lines. For exams or visits, using the bus routes from Hashimoto Station or Hachioji Station ensures a smooth, hassle-free trip:
1. From Hashimoto Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 6 ⇨ Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu "Tama Art University" bus, about 8 minutes (1-minute walk after getting off)
2. From Hachioji Station South Exit, Bus Stop No. 5 ⇨ Keio Bus "Tama Art University" bus, about 20 minutes (immediate arrival after getting off)
3. Fare is approximately 200–240 yen, payable by cash or IC card
4. The campus is within a 1-minute walk from the bus stop
5. Timetables change during spring and summer breaks, so be sure to check schedules!
📝 Summary: A Space Where Future Artists Breathe
Tama Art University Hachioji Campus is not just an art university but a place where creativity gathers and ferments. The oil painting department’s open campus is full of the power of the works and the passion of the students, providing great inspiration for those aspiring to art.
The seasonal nature surrounding the campus is also a charm. This space, where art and greenery coexist, is a special place that sharpens your sensibility just by visiting.
Travel Strategy #CampusVisit