April is almost over, but there’s still time for another volunteer spotlight! We’re featuring our newest volunteer, Rachel Powell, who has been a wonderful addition to the team. Rachel has jumped right into volunteering with FOA’s tabling activities and uses her artistic skill to assist with promotional materials. Get to know her below!
Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Powell
Q: Tell us about yourself!
A: I am currently a Liberal Arts major at SMCC, and plan to continue to a Bachelor’s in Japanese at UNC in Chapel Hill. I first began college as a Film major at Emerson College in Boston, but after realizing film wasn’t for me, I spent a semester in the South of France painting and learning art history. While in France, I studied Van Gogh and learned of his love and inspiration from Japanese art (which I fell in love with!). Eventually, I realized I wanted to live and work as an English language teacher in Japan, which has led me to where I am now. I’ll be traveling to Japan for the first time this Summer, where I’ll be taking an intensive Japanese language course in Nara and making lots of deer friends!
Aside from academia, I love to cosplay, draw and paint, play video games, and snuggle up with my two kitties Kato and Jiji.
Q: How did you get involved with Friends of Aomori?
A: I first found out about Friends of Aomori through their VP Jeff Badger while at SMCC. I then went to the Bath Culture Day and the MAPS (Maine Aomori Printmaking Society) Exhibit at the Patten Free Library in March, where I met Friends members Briar, Elizabeth, and Hannah. I was so excited to learn about MAPS and Friends of Aomori that I asked if I could help volunteer!
Q: What kind of volunteer work do you enjoy doing for Friends of Aomori?
A: I’ve helped take down the MAPS exhibit in Bath, worked the Friends table at Maker’s Day in Portland, and am currently helping design a promotional postcard for the organization. Being a new volunteer, I’ve loved helping with anything I can, as well as meeting other volunteers and learning more about Japan.
Q: What has been your favorite moment from volunteering with Friends of Aomori?
A: I loved helping with the MAPS exhibit in Bath. Once I learned about the print exchange from Jeff, I knew I wanted to get involved. I love Japanese art, and being able to even help be a part of such a fantastic cultural exchange was so exciting for me. Plus I got to see every print up close!
Q: What makes volunteering important to you?
A: Volunteering has helped me get more involved with my community, and it’s been so fun to meet other people who love Japan and Japanese culture as much as I do. I’ve made so many great relationships and connections already in my short time with Friends, and I’ve been able to help with some very creative projects.
Friends of Aomori 
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