A new history exhibit highlighting the 20-year relationship between Sequim and its sister city of Shiso City, Japan, is now on display at the Museum & Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley (MAC).

The sister city exhibit remains on display through December 2013.

The exhibit features numerous symbolic items gifted from sister city delegates to the City of Sequim as well as artifacts donated to the MAC by David and Ann Salmon of Sequim, who were members of the first sister city delegation to Japan two decades ago.

Featured items on display at the MAC Exhibit Center, 175 W. Cedar St. in Sequim, include a large drum, gourd art, elaborately-decorated fans and a mask used in classical Japanese theater and carved by noted Japanese artist Kohara Akira.

“Over the past 20 years, the City of Sequim has been benefited from the generosity of Shiso with many beautiful gifts reflecting the art and culture of the Shiso region,” said Sequim City Councilor Laura Dubois, noting the largest such gift was the lantern at the center of the Friendship Garden pond at Carrie Blake Park.

“This longstanding friendship has resulted in many student exchange visits between our two cities. Our students have enjoyed the experience of visiting Japan as well as hosting Japanese students in their homes.”

The sister city agreement between Sequim and Yamasaki, now Shiso City, was formalized in June 1993. The most recent cultural exchange between the two cities occurred in late September, when the Sequim-Shiso Sister City Association hosted 14 students and three chaperones from Shiso City.

The MAC Exhibit Center is operating on its winter hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit www.macsequim.org or call 360-683-8110 for more information.