Mio Okada

Growing up in a small town in Japan, there wasn’t much entertainment around. My life was simple, a little too simple, so I always dreamed of doing something big and exciting in the future. I loved drawings and crafts since I was little, and I loved impressing people with my art.

After moving to the U.S. and struggling with English, I found art to be not only a way to express myself but also a way to communicate with others. Art became my third language and I fell in love with it more deeply. Scenic design was a way for me to pursue my passion for something “big and exciting” and to connect with people in a way that a language could not.

My art works are a combination of passion and dedication. I enjoy expressing the feeling that corresponds to a story or moments, and translating it into a space. Even if there is a language barrier, people are still able to resonate, sympathize, and be part of the experience. Scenic design for me is a place where I can be free and explore different emotions, and put these different emotions into the right places like a puzzle.