UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1021

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Kea Kamiya
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): ksk23a@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Rob Duarte 
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: rduarte@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Fine Arts
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Studio Art 
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/19701/IMG_6629.jpeg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Florida Samurai: Sculpture in Memoriam of Japanese Americans in Florida 
Project Keywords: Sculpture, Metalworking, Art, Asian American history, Japanese Diaspora
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: Yes
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 1
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all Majors, though a Major in Art or History could be helpful 

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: Yes
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 7-10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
This project involves the creation of two approximately seven-foot sculptures memorializing Yetsu Kamiya and Masa Kamiya. They were a mother and daughter who lived in the Japanese American settlement of Yamato in what is now Delray Beach, Florida. The project requires creation of sculptures via welding, metalworking, painting, sewing, and other multimedia work. The structure of the sculpture will be welded steel in the shape of a koi with painted fabric panels sewn into the structure. The painted panels will be drawn from research surrounding the Yamato colony and the lives and experiences of these Japanese American women. 

Research Tasks:
Digitize resources, literature review, assistance with grinding and sanding, prepping canvases, measuring, applying for shows

Research tasks for this project would be separated into studio assignments and historic record assignments. The major historic records assignment would be to digitize paper journal entries from the early 1900s. These journals span many years and are dense with information. A digitized version of this resource would make it searchable and allow it to be secured in an additional form. Historic record assignments would also include searching interviews and online databases for information about Yamato, Masa, and Yetsu. Studio assignments would involve assisting with the creation of the sculptures. Tasks like assisting in mapping where the painted panels will be sewn in, assistance with grinding and sanding, prepping canvases, measuring, and applying for shows. 


Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required: Typing, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Attention to detail, Comfortable online with database and online research, Willingness to learn and use power tools
Recommended:
Experience writing applications and writing about art, prior experience with power tools and basic art processes 


Mentoring Philosophy:
I approach mentoring as a collaborative process with communication at its core. I hope to give research assistants a glimpse into the world of researching for the arts and sculpture as research. Mentees’ goals and understanding will be assessed at meetings that will be held every two weeks. Most of the time the mentee will be working directly with me, so that I am able to get to know their talents, interest, and motivations throughout the project. Art is wonderfully flexible and allows for errors to become learning without much loss. Because of this, positive reinforcement and space to fail and improve are imbedded in this project. Serving as a mentee myself allowed me to become the artist that I am today. I hope to give my mentees a similar experience. 

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://keasuiko.wixsite.com/kea-kamiya
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
The linked website is not for this project specifically, but gives examples of similar projects. 


Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: Yes
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Year: 2025
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