ANNOUNCING
THe kyoto retreat
2025 Cohort
2025 Cohort
Armina Howada Mussa,
Sculptor
Armina Howada Mussa is a sculptor whose work centers on the creation of contemporary artifacts that explore the tension between ancient and modern narratives. Through sculpture and installation, Mussa examines the active and passive forces that shape our existence, using the tactile power of clay and other materials to engage memory, ritual, and the infinite.
Marina Paulenka,
Curator
Based in Berlin and originally from Croatia, Marina Paulenka's work spans contemporary visual, digital, and performing arts, with a specialization in photography and new media. Across these roles and mediums, she consistently pushes boundaries, provokes critical dialogue, and engages with urgent global concerns. Her practice is shaped by intellectual rigor, a commitment to innovation, and a focus on intersectionality, experimentation, and the transformative potential of art.
Photo credit: Rahi Rezvani
Sally Vahle,
Actress
Sally Vahle is a versatile actress who is sought out for her work in Theater, Voice Over and TV/Film. In her 30 year career, she has received a wide range of acting awards for her work, including an Emmy Nomination and she is a Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship recipient. Sally is a member of the Brierley Resident Acting Company at the Tony Award Winning Dallas Theater Center.