Two philanthropic gifts were recently made to Portland State University Foundation in memory of Michihiro Kosuge, a longstanding faculty member of Portland State University’s School of Art + Design, honoring Kosuge’s contributions to both the art and architecture programs at the university. Professor Barbara Sestak made a significant gift to establish the Michi Kosuge Design-Build Endowment, and the Michi Kosuge Trust made a donation in support of the Michi Kosuge Scholarship in Art.
A widely respected member of Portland’s creative community, “Michi” Kosuge (1943 - 2021) was known primarily for his prolific sculpture practice, creating large- and small-scale sculptures and installations around the country, incorporating granite, basalt, stainless steel and other materials into his work. His practice had roots in both art and architecture; a degree in architecture from the Tokyo Sumida Technical School of Architecture, and an MFA in sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute, led to a flourishing artistic career that incorporated elements of architecture and art.
At PSU, he taught art from 1978 to 2003, serving first as professor and later as the chair of the Art Department (which became the School of Art + Design in 2012). He also taught several courses in architecture, including furniture making and design-build.
“Michi’s architecture background influenced his sculpture, and his interest in architecture was also manifested within the curriculum,” said Barbara Sestak, professor of architecture and a former Dean of the College of the Arts. “Michi’s sculptures were always in tune with the site of his installations. Place was important to him, and his sculptures addressed spatial relationships both in relation to the natural environment and to the built environment.”
Kosuge was influential in supporting the university’s move toward a four-year BA/BS major in Art with a concentration in Architecture, and the subsequent development of a major in architecture, reports Sestak. “He played a vital role in the beginnings of what was to become the School of Architecture. His generosity of spirit to both students and his colleagues created a special environment that was cherished. It is in his honor that we want to support an ongoing design-build program within the School of Architecture in thanks.”
The Michi Kosuge Design-Build Endowment will support the School of Architecture’s growing design-build program, which has produced full-scale projects such as the Pickathon Treeline and Cherry Hill stages. In design-build courses, students work collaboratively to research, design, project-manage, budget, source materials and communicate with clients, giving them real-world experience as they would have in a firm. The endowment will help to purchase materials and enable the development of future projects, building on the work of the last few years, with a focus on sustainability, reuse, community engagement and civic impact.
The Michi Kosuge Scholarship in Art is awarded annually to a student in the School of Art + Design in order to assist with tuition, fees, supplies and other expenses. Established by PSU art colleagues during Kosuge’s lifetime in honor of his retirement, the Michi Kosuge Trust contributed to this scholarship in the spirit of his lifelong dedication to the practice of art and his commitment to educating generations of artists and designers.
“Michi was a quiet individual but someone who was passionate about the creative process and was encouraging to many, both faculty and students alike,” said Sestak. “He possessed a deep kindness, a willingness to listen and a quiet way to unite a diversity of voices.”
“The PSU community misses Michi and his myriad contributions to our school and our students,” said Lis Charman, director of the School of Art + Design. “His thoughtful, nurturing, multi-disciplinary approach had a huge impact on how we collaborate and create together, and his legacy can still be felt every day in our classrooms and studios.”
To make a donation to the Michi Kosuge Scholarship in Art or the Michi Kosuge Design-Build Endowment, visit https://giving.psuf.org/michi.