The following portfolio highlights projects and public programs led by the representative, forming the foundation of the organization’s current activities.
以下のポートフォリオでは、代表者がこれまでに主導してきたプロジェクトおよび一般向けプログラムをご紹介しています。これらの活動は、現在の団体活動の基盤となっています。
Zuri Lioness is a author, visual artist, and educator with over 20 years of experience working with children. My work brings together education, visual storytelling, and cross-cultural communication to inspire curiosity, creativity, and human connection.
Through art and long-term engagement with children, I explore how people connect beyond language through images, imagination, and shared experiences. I have also collaborated with international artists—including an ongoing visual dialogue with artists in Russia—communicating entirely through artwork without a shared spoken language.
Travel and cultural exploration are central to my creative practice, shaping both my artwork and the children's books I create. My stories encourage young readers to dream boldly, embrace new perspectives, and discover the world with confidence and compassion.
“I have purpose, you will see”
“わたしには、ちゃんと意味があるんだ。きっとわかるよ。”
Zuri Lionessは、20年以上にわたり子どもたちと関わってきた経験を持つ、作家、ビジュアルアーティスト、教育者です。教育、ビジュアル・ストーリーテリング、そして異文化コミュニケーションを融合させ、好奇心や創造力、人と人とのつながりを育む活動を行っています。
アートと子どもたちとの長年にわたる関わりを通して、言葉を超えて人々がどのようにつながることができるのかを探求しています。イメージ、想像力、そして共に経験する時間には、言語の壁を越えて人と人を結ぶ力があると考えています。
また、世界各国のアーティストとのコラボレーションにも取り組んでおり、ロシアのアーティストたちとは、共通の話し言葉を使わず、作品だけを通して交流する継続的な「ビジュアル・ダイアローグ（視覚による対話）」を行っています。
旅と異文化の探求は、Zuri Lionessの創作活動における大切な要素であり、アート作品や児童書の世界観にも大きな影響を与えています。
物語を通して、子どもたちが大きな夢を描き、新しい視点を受け入れ、自信と思いやりを持って世界を発見していくことを応援しています。
“The Earth is art
Themes of childhood, memory, identity, and connection appear throughout my work. Whether creating books, leading educational programs, or developing collaborative art projects, my goal is to build meaningful experiences that connect people across cultures.
I believe art is more than creative expression—it is a universal language that fosters understanding, empathy, and a lifelong sense of possibility.
Over the years, my practice has expanded beyond education into visual art exhibitions, community-based projects, and international collaboration.
in 2025, “The Earth is Art” was released, showing an educational journey or two siblings traveling throughout Japan creating different art forms with Earth’s resources.
私の作品には、子ども時代、記憶、アイデンティティ、そして人と人とのつながりというテーマが一貫して流れています。書籍の制作、教育プログラムの実施、共同アートプロジェクトの企画など、活動の形にかかわらず、私が目指しているのは、文化を越えて人々をつなぐ、心に残る体験を生み出すことです。
私は、アートは単なる創造的な表現ではなく、人と人との理解や共感を育み、生涯にわたって「新しい可能性」を感じる力を与える普遍的な言語だと考えています。
長年にわたり、私の活動は教育の分野を越え、ビジュアルアートの展覧会、地域に根ざしたプロジェクト、そして国際的なコラボレーションへと広がってきました。
2025年には、『The Earth is Art』を出版しました。本作は、二人のきょうだいが日本各地を旅しながら、地球の自然資源を活用してさまざまなアート表現を生み出していく、学びと発見に満ちた物語です。
Artistic Engagements
Bilingual Story time live reading Tokyo, Japan
Participated as a contributing artist and committee member, supporting programming and community engagement initiatives. Presented creative work within a multidisciplinary arts environment focused on cultural expression and public access.
Caribbean Art Festival Coquitlam, Canada
Invited by J-WAVE to participate in the Inspire Tokyo event, contributing through creative presentation and public engagement. This opportunity supported outreach to a wider Tokyo-based audience through a major cultural media platform.
Boulder Art Festival Boulder, Colorado
Showcased original creative work within a public arts festival setting, engaging diverse audiences through storytelling and visual presentation.
Colorado Black Arts Festival Denver, Colorado
Organized and led a bilingual storytime event, facilitating live readings and interactive engagement for children and families. The event focused on cultural learning through storytelling and accessible arts education.
Inspire Tokyo Japan By: JWAVE 81.3 mhz
Participated as a featured artist, presenting work within a festival centered on cultural heritage, community, and artistic exchange.
FORT COLLINS ART FESTIVAL Fort Collins, Colorado
Presented creative work as part of a regional arts festival, contributing to community-based cultural programming and public art engagement.
Featured Articles
A Tale of Two Human Needs
Published in: Canvas Rebel
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-zuri-lioness/
Date: July 14, 2025
CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems
Meet Zuri Lioness
Published in: Bold Journey https://boldjourney.com/meet-zuri-lioness/
Date: 2024, November
Quote from Bold Journey:
“I want to show all kids there are many things you can do and countless places to go along the way.”
Accomplish: New children’s book is headed to Crestone
Published in: The Crestone Eagle
Date: 2023, May
Quote from Crestone Eagle:
“They live without limits.” – Zuri, on the inspiring qualities of children.
Title: “Accomplish!”
Published By: Zuri Lioness
Date: February, 2023
ISBN 979-8-88955-379-3
Published in: United States
Distributed in: US, Switzerland, UK, Ireland,
Canada, Australia, Israel, Russia
Sold in local stores and online
Japanese Version Title:
できた!
ISBN978-4-9914630-0-6
Published January, 2025
Published works
Title: “The Earth is Art” a story based in Japan
Published By: Zuri Lioness
Date: June, 2025
ISBN 979-8-89940-450-4
Published in: United States
Distributed in: US, Canada, Australia
Sold in local stores and online
Japanese Version Title:
ちきゅうはアート
ISBN978-4-9914630-1-3
Published January, 2025