ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) opened ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE in the CI Plaza, a commercial facility situated next to ITOCHU’s Tokyo Head Office, in October 2012. The gallery was part of ITOCHU’s social contribution activities, with the aim of developing the next generation through art, contributing to the local community and promoting both local and overseas art and culture. Various exhibitions have since been held in the space.

ITOCHU announced today that the “Studio COOCA World Exhibition” will be held at ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE with the objective of encouraging people with disabilities to support themselves and engage in social activities.
Studio COOCA is a social welfare facility (atelier) based in Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa, that aims to support people with disabilities to engage in creative activities such as painting, arts and crafts, and performance, helping them do what they enjoy and what they are good at so they may then earn a living from their work.
The exhibition will feature curious, delightful, and marvelous works produced by artists affiliated to Studio COOCA, as well as presenting a collection of images showing everyday scenes from Studio COOCA that convey the lively and fun atmosphere of the atelier.

Many exhibitions supporting people with disabilities have been held at ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE, and ITOCHU will continue to offer support for such people to gain social independence, once of the issues for disabled persons’ welfare, through culture and the arts.

Details of Studio COOCA World Exhibition

• Studio COOCA：
  Supported living services and continued employment support (type B) for people with disabilities, based in Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa. Established 2009.
  Some 90 members engage in creative activities each day such as painting, arts and crafts, producing goods, and performance, as well as providing designs to companies.