This phase of The Fence and Gate Project is made possible by a grant from the the Creative Work Fund, a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.  It is a collaboration between wood working artist Jay van Arsdale, Friends of the Japanese Garden (Bill Castellon, president) and Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation.

On Tuesday Dec 1 woodworking artist Jay van Arsdale and his crew arrived at the Japanese Garden to start work on the next phase of The Fence and Gate Project.
(Jay in the yellow hat)

Most of the wood work had been done in the classroom shop at Laney College, but some finishing touches were done on site in the parking lot.

These crafts people use hand tools, the ancient way of doing this joinery work.

December’s work on the project was to install sections of off-set fencing on either side of the gate which had been installed a few months ago.

Not your typical western style nailed fence, this is mortise and tenon work.

Branches from a Plum tree enhance the gate opening.  Sliding locks provide closure as needed.

Sliding lock on the inside of the small gate.

Sliding lock on the inside of the small gate.

From inside the garden, the structure handsomely masks the view of the parking lot.

The large gate can remain closed, blocking the view outside the garden, while the small gate provides pedestrian access. Not quite done yet, but a much needed improvement.

For more information about projects in the Japanese Garden,  please call Dick Austin, 418 0968.

For more information about the artists, go to <www.daikudojo.org>.